Aboriginal Spirituality and the Dreaming

• Study notes on religion and belief systems in Australia post-1945

Aboriginal Spirituality and the Dreaming

• The Dreaming is the foundational concept of Aboriginal spirituality.
• The Dreaming is the unseen spirit world and the reality expressed in ceremonies, dance, song, and art.
• It is both personal and communal, linking everything in the land, including humans and spirits.
• The Dreaming underpins the human, physical, and sacred dimensions of belief and has different meanings.
• It refers to spiritual beliefs about creation and existence.
• Human, animal, and plant life is part of a vast network of relationships traced to ancestral spirit beings.
• It incorporates all knowledge, understanding, beliefs, and practices of Aboriginal communities.
• The Dreaming is connected to the land, the physical medium for communication, and where ancestor spirits dwell.
• It is a meta-temporal concept that incorporates past, present, and future reality.
• The Dreaming contains wisdom, understanding, and insight necessary for a meaningful life.
• Its influence is embedded in all aspects of Aboriginal life.
• The Dreaming is the basis of Aboriginal spirituality, providing the basis for kinship systems, traditions, rituals, and ceremonies.

How the Dreaming Shapes People's Lives

• The Gunwinggu people call the Rainbow Serpent, Ngalyod, and the Miali, Borlung.
• The Rainbow Serpent is revered and feared, known for vengeance.
• The Rainbow Serpent is the creation mother who brings the Wet Season, rejuvenating the land.
• Ubar ceremonies in Western Arnhem Land feature a cylindrical drum representing the Rainbow Serpent's mother's voice.
• The Ubar ceremony story associates Yirawadbad as the father and husband of Waramurungutidji.
• Ancestor-beings are considered ʻalive' in the spirit of Australian Aboriginals.
• Christianity refers to variations as denominations.

Census

• A census is a count of the population that takes place every 5 years.
• The next census date is in 2026, the last one was in 2021.
• The census collects information on people living in an area, including sex, age, income, housing, religion, etc.
• The information is collected by sending census forms to everyone and every household.
• It helps the government determine resource use and guide political decisions.
• Issues with the census include the inability to accurately count those in the LGBTQIA+ community.
• Sometimes people are counted twice, or not at all.
• Religious belief still dominates the population, with many denominations and variants practiced.
• In 2021, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian.
• 30% identified as Catholic, the majority.
• Those with 'no religion' went from 18.7% to 38.9% between 2006 and 2021 as a result of secularism
• Islam went from 1.7% to 3.2% between 2006 and 2021.
• A sect can grow into a denomination and is often a breakaway group with conflicting beliefs.

Interpreting Census

• The religious landscape is more diverse as the non-Christian population has increased.
• Australia's non-religious population went from 0.3% to 38.9% between 1947 and 2021.
• Main changes in the past 50 years include a decrease in the Christian population.
• Non-Christian religions are increasing, and the non-religious population is growing rapidly.
• Contributing factors include emerging social values on abortion, same-sex marriage, and divorce.
• The trend of increasing other religions is due to greater inclusivity and multiculturalism.
• There is a trend in decreasing Christian affiliation because their beliefs are challenged by individualism.
• Immigrants identify as Christian (28.4%), having no religion (28.5%), or another religion (40.7%).
• Sikhism is growing quickly, with 0.8% identifying as Sikh in 2021.
• Younger age groups report no religion at a greater proportion that older age groups.
• ATSI people are usually affiliated with the Dreaming, its beliefs, rituals, and faiths.
• Ceremonies, dances, songs, and prayers are carried out to worship ancestors and creator spirits.

Changing Religious Landscapes (HSC Syllabus)

• Since 1945, data from the census states that Anglican, Presbyterian, and Uniting Church figures have declined.

• Catholic and Orthodox figures have increased numerically.

• Pentecostal figures have increased steadily.

• There rises in secularism and a rise in worldview and lifestyle.

• Jewish figures remained stable.

• Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhist figures increased steadily.

• Christianity is still the major religious tradition in Australia.

• Denominational switching is common, where Protestants who believe the Bible is subjective, tend to switch denominations to better suit their beliefs.

• Catholic and Orthodox Christians are less likely to switch as they are more static.

• Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing denomination.

• New Age religions, with modern origins, became dominant around the 1970s.

• The First Fleet (British) introduced Christianity (primarily Anglicans), representing colonization.

• Immigration in 1945 of British and European war refugees led to the domination of Christianity.

• The Assisted Passage Migration Scheme in 1945 introduced Ten Pound Poms.

• Due to WW2, many Jewish immigrants fled to Australia.

• The Vietnam War (1955-1975) introduced many Vietnamese people and increased religious diversity.

• The White Australia policy in 1901 limited immigration of non-British people and increased Christianity at the time.

• There is a greater diversity of religious beliefs and ethnicities due to more recent immigration.

• Due to denominational switching, the variation of Christian denominations increases due to believers forming their own interpretations.

• Many leave Pentecostalism (fastest growing denomination) after two years, due to the "revolving door syndrome".

• New age religions rise, as individualism and a greater focus on self and freedom increases.

• Eastern and Indigenous concepts challenge Western concepts and inspire this rise.

• New age religions include meditation, yoga, astrology, fortune reading, etc.

• In 1947 figures: Christianity 87.3%, Non-Christian 0.5%, No religion 0.3%, Islam 0.04%, Buddhism 0.01%,

• In 2021 figures: Christianity 43.9%, Non-Christian 10%, No religion 38.9%, Islam 3.2%, Buddhism 2.4%

• Anglican (39% in 1947, 9.8% in 2021)

• Catholic (20.9% in 1947, 20% in 2021)

Denominational Switching

• Denominations are Christian related.
• Variants are sections of a major religion.
• Sects begin small and deviate slightly from a major religion and can develop into a denomination.
• Cults have strong negative connotations, are hostile to non-members, very secretive, and more social than religious.
• Scientology is sometimes considered a cult.
• Denominational switching is switching denominations.
• Drifters drop away from attending church services.
• Transfers are adherents who changed between churches of the same denomination.
• Evangelism is spreading the Christian gospel.
• Religious conversion is switching religions.
• Marriages may influence a switch in denomination.
• Churches should be healthy and engaging.
• Choosing a denomination may depend on music, community, ethics, locality, convenience, etc.
• Syncretism combines different beliefs and ways of thinking.
• The Twelve Tribes are an offshoot Christian group with "new age" values and practices.

Secularism

• The Age of Enlightenment promoted a secular government, freedom of religion, tolerance, and religious pluralism.
• The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion.
• Change in mindset is enshrined in Australian society through a variety of new sources of value.
• Half of those reporting no religion in 2011 were younger than 30.
• Increased materialism, disillusionment with religions, scientific progress, rationalist ideas, feminism, etc.
• Dominant religions need to adapt fast by focusing on contemporary issues relating to young people and identity.
• Humanism emphasizes the value and agency of humans, preferring critical thinking over doctrine or faith.

Interfaith Dialogue

• Interfaith dialogue refers to positive interactions between people of different faiths.
• The main aim is to promote peace through increasing tolerance by ensuring understanding.
• The Sydney Statement addresses social issues, and environmental issues, to promote peace and social cohesion.

Ecumenical Movement

• The ecumenical movement in Australia aims to achieve unity between Christian denominations.
• The National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) impacts the ecumenical movement by correcting views towards their own and other denominations.
• The NCCA website releases news and media.
• The NSW Ecumenical Council (nswec) is composed of 21 Christian Churches.

Reconciliation

• Success is determined by historical acceptance, race relations, equality, integrity, and unity.
• The Buddhist Council of NSW (BCNSW) contributes to reconciliation.
• Judaism has also made active efforts to support and endorse programs that influence the process of reconciliation positively
• "Hand in Hand' hosts gatherings with the Aboriginal community and have demonstrated involvement with schools in fostering unity between their communities
• The NSW Jewish Board of Deputy's initiative to set up the ‘Rona Tranby Trust"

Aboriginal spirituality determined by Dreaming

• Specific ceremonies encompass kinship and the specific people, and its connection to the Dreaming.
• Ceremonies reenact stories and events in the Dreaming, and draw upon the creative power of the Dreaming.
• These stories communicate important cultural rules and values.
• They explain what is allowed and disallowed, explain why certain values are upheld and the significance of certain animals.
• Ceremonies are important and should be treated with respect.
• An initiation story (rite of passage) exemplifies the nature of ceremonial life, teaching respect and obedience.
• Aboriginal spirituality is determined by the Dreaming stories, which communicate messages regarding the rules surrounding ceremonial life.
• For example, the 'Southern Lights' story communicates values of respecting ceremonial life within boys becoming men.

Kinship

• Relationships are extremely important in Aboriginal communities.
• These relationships are often based on relationships accorded to the spirits of the Dreaming.
• Indigenous cultures, people in the same skin grouping as my mother are all my mothers.
• A person is addressed by the appropriate relationship term
• A boy's maternal uncle should educate the boy regarding adulthood
• Strict rules exist to maintain respect between certain classes of relatives
• Moieties are two halves of land.
• The belief is that everything is split in halves, and the natural world is divided into these halves.
• It determines reciprocal rights and marital eligibility.
• Children inherit the mother's and father's moiety.
• Those with the same moiety are obliged to support each other.
• Cannot have a child with anybody who has the same moiety as you
• Woiwurrung: The Durrung of the Yan-yan
• Skin name is inherited at birth, indicating the bloodline.
• Each nation has its own term for a skin name.
• Skin name may have 16-32 sets of name.
• Totem is a natural object, plant, or animal inherited by members of a clan or family.
• Each person has 4 totems, nation, clan, family and personal totems
• Placed in each half of the moiety and has a responsibility to preserve the environment.
• Emu people are required to learn and teach others about the emu environment
• Totems link a person to the universe, land, water and air
• It does not mean it is theirs, but instead this is what they should be responsible for

Ceremonial Life

• It is a way to express and show spirituality as living and dynamic.
• The performance of ceremonies affirm kinship relations, ceremonies mark time of transition.

Purpose of Ceremonial Life

• Rite of passage (initiation ceremonies such as age and status or burial)
• Social information (telling stories through kinship system, learning the Law, telling stories keeps the Dreaming alive within the group)
• Assists in peaceful intertribal and totemic interactions and connections.
• Often gender specific.
• Age restrictions apply.
• Ceremonies are often dictated by Aboriginal Law.
• Acknowledges the Dreaming as fundamental to human existence and spirituality.
• Links to sacred sites.
• Eucalyptus leaves are used and burnt at ceremonies to purify the land.
• Bora, or Burbung, is the initiation ceremony for young boys being welcomed to adulthood.
• Tjurunga is an object of religious significance for Central Australian Indigenous people.
• Bunggul is a traditional ceremonial dance of the Yolngu people of East Arnhem Land

Dispossession on Aboriginal Spiritualities

• Aboriginal people being forced from their land or family, their way of life and cultures, disrupting the kinship roles and responsibilities

Separation from Land

• Means of European colonisation:
• Native Title will be granted where consent is given by both parties.
• Native Title will be granted where conquest (using military means to impose rule).
• Land is inextricably connected to kinship (obligations to people)

Separation from Kinship Groups

• Dispossession causes breakdown of kinship, whereby isolation of individuals disconnects them from their communities, ancestral territory and totemic identity.
• Impacts include loss of identity, language, and inability to practice rituals.

The Stolen Generations

• Considered the most destructive government policies towards the Dreaming.
• Aboriginal children, especially those with lighter skin, were forcibly removed and sent to live in foster homes from 1883-1969.

Importance of Land Rights Movement

• Native title recognised Aboriginal people rights and interests in relation to land and water.
• Only vacant Crown land may be subject to a native title claim.
• In 2019, Aboriginal Australians won a case and were awarded AUD 2.53 million.
• The Mabo case created the concept of 'native title' rights only applied to the five people who won that case.
• Native Title Act occurred as Mabo set the foundation for the native title act to be passed.
• 1993 was passed declaring where Crown Land (land owned by the government) had not been

Mabo and Wik Case

• The Mabo case (1992) introduced the legal concept of native title, limited to the plaintiffs of the case.
• To extend these rights, the Australian Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993
• In the Wik case (1996), the High Court ruled that native title can coexist with leaseholders' rights, unless there was a conflict.
• The Australian Government amended the Native Title Act to balance Indigenous rights with landowners' security.

Wik Case - Significance to Aboriginal Spirituality

• Connection to Country: Aboriginal spirituality is deeply tied to the land.
• Native title legally acknowledged this sacred relationship
• Dreaming and Cultural Identity: Recognition of native title affirmed the spiritual
• Challenges to Spiritual Rights: While the native title was a legal victory, prioritizing leaseholder rights in conflicts limited Aboriginal people's ability to fully practice their spiritual traditions on ancestral lands.