Dreaming In Indigenous Australia

The Dreaming is a term used to describe stories that are passed down to later generations of Indigenous Australians which focuses on the relationship between Indigenous people, the land and the animals (Aboriginal Art, 2000). This term is often used to refer to individual or group beliefs relating to spirituality (Indigenous Australia, 2016). Dreaming stories are an important aspect of Indigenous cultural beliefs and values which are taught through song, dance, paintings and storytelling (Aboriginal Art, 2000). Everything is connected in Indigenous culture such as the physical world, sacred world and the human world (Australia Government, 2016). This is explored through a quote by Mudrooroo stating “Our spirituality is a oneness and an interconnectedness

Most Dreaming stories are believed to explore ancestor spirits and how the earth was created in human form throughout the creation of the land, plants and animals (Australian Government, 2016). It is also believed that once the earth was created, the trees, stars and other aspects of the earth were viewed as sacred places which hold great significance in Indigenous culture (Australian Government, 2016). For this, the Dreaming is never-ending and is a constant link between the past, present and future for both the people and the land (Aboriginal Art, 2000). Dreaming is defined differently for each Indigenous Australian and is determined by the place that one’s mother feels the first signs of pregnancy (History, 2016). It is believed that the unborn baby receives the spirit from a totemic ancestor for example, possum, kangaroo or honey ant which connects the Dreaming with this place (Indigenous Australia, 2016). This creates a harmonious framework for Indigenous Australians in terms of the place and all living beings within it (Aboriginal Art, 2000). Each Dreamtime story defines Indigenous Australians identity and their connection with the land and animals (Australian Government,

In Christianity, the creation story focuses on God who brought life to earth in seven days (Bible, 2016). The bible explores the story of Adam and Eve who where the first man and woman to walk the earth (Bible, 2016). It is believed that God created Adam and Eve by breathing life into ‘the dust of the ground’ (Bible, 2016). This is similar to many Indigenous creation stories of how the earth became to be (History, 2016). There are no specific set of values for Indigenous Australians yet, their own values stem from the needs of the community (Aboriginal Art, 2000). They are taught from their elders of the tribe to respect their family, life and resources. Although not the exact same, the Ten Commandments in Christianity share a similar set of values and beliefs regarding how one should act and behave (History,