Using the very latest archaeological evidence from stones and bones and also Aboriginal oral traditions, this volume examines the way in which the Aborigines adapted to and modified their environment, how their art and culture developed and were passed on, and how they coped with changes such as the rising seas after the last ice age.
This beautifully illustrated divination kit is based on Aboriginal dreamings, which acknowledge the creatures and natural phenomena of the world as a living oracle. This is a tradition of storytelling, of passing down the wisdom of Nature through the generations to provide insight and guidance for today. Each of the unique circular cards represents a particular dreaming story. Read the cards individually and in spreads to discover this fascinating and ancient mythology, blending its stories and interpretations for inspiration, guidance and spiritual fulfillment. Five Aboriginal artists provide the illustrations for this kit in authentic Aboriginal style.
Titles outside Australia; People of the Dream-time & the Australian Aborigines; General pictorial survey of Aboriginal life; explanation of Dreamtime concept, summary of evidence on prehistory & origin of Aborigines, brief description of hunter-gatherer existence, division of labour, clan system, medicine men, ritual combat; p.73-82; Art of the rock faces; photographs of paintings & method of painting (grinding pigments, brushes) from El Sherana, Yuendumu (Cave of the Rainbow Serpent), engravings in western New South Wales, paintings - Groote Eylandt, Chasm Is., Wessel Is., ; Kimberleys (Wandjina figure), Noarlangie (X-ray art), petroglyphs from Sydney region, rock shelter paintings (Cooktown); brief history of changes resulting from white contact (clashes over use of land, casual employment, discrimination), survey of official attitudes from Dampier to 1967 referendum, criticism of past policies also applied to present situation (lack of consultation, lack of adequate financial assistance, discrimination, institutionists), education seen as aid to future development; extensive illustrations (colour & black/white) of sub-racial physical types, rock engravings, ritual objects, stone implements, burials (Tiboobura), mens and womens implements, camp life, ceremonial body painting, Elcho & Melville Is. grave posts, stone arrangements, fringe dwellings employment, education, health services.
While visiting the site of sacred cave paintings in the middle of the Australian outback, John Midas slips back thousands of years and finds himself among a prehistoric aboriginal tribe.