Aboriginal culture

You can't come to Australia and not talk about Aboriginal culture.





It's everywhere. Especially in Queensland and Northern Territory due to the large clan/tribe communities that are in and around the towns & villages. Signposts for popular tourist destinations are written in both English and the local language much in the same way as Welsh signposts are co-written. Many names are being swapped over such as Uluru and Kata Tjuta in everyday use rather than their modern day names, Ayers Rock and The Olgas respectively.



Artwork, boomerangs and of course the didjeridoo are sold in most outlets but there's much debate about what is authentic and what is cashing in on the Aboriginal or indigenous brand. Artwork is sold with certificates of authenticity but these can be dubious and not prove anything.

Although due to funds we've not been specifically looking for artwork, it's allowed us to look around and see what's what.
It has caused many moments of uncertainty about what is true Aboriginal art and morally proper to purchase, whether it's the authenticity that we're looking for or simply just a nice design...tricky!

  

Many families and clans can be seen painting and selling at festivals and markets and shops and it seems a lucrative industry with many large paintings being sold for over $1,000 but of course there's many artists doing it!

Aboriginal culture also has its negative aspects. There has been much talk whilst on our trip about stopping the 'sitdown' money, given as a kind of benefit to some Aboriginal people, to try and promote integration with the wider community by working rather than just expecting it. I believe this approach of issuing benefits came as a result of the proposed solutions to deal with the 'stolen generation' - a time when half-cast Aboriginals were 'repatriated' into society by removing them from their families and relocated to orphanages around the country. Many have now tried to find their true families.

There's a trend that much of this benefit money is spent on alcohol that causes other issues within the community; violence, intimidation and anti-social behaviour. It is often this side that is viewed as 'the' Aboriginal culture within the media and unfortunately with some of the mis-informed public.

Many Aboriginal people that we've spoken to find this a great hurdle to overcome. Their children have to learn their own culture as well as the 'white fella' culture at school which is often difficult. This is aligned with the lack of education of the Aboriginal culture in 'white fella' schools. The bright lights of the city prove to be an 'illusion' to many youngsters that can cause problems back in their own communities that force them back into the 'whitefella' life around the city.



From our very small experiences of Aboriginal people, we've not experienced anything other than friendliness and hospitality and an eagerness to share and talk more about their own culture with 'whitefellas'. I've found parallels with their thoughts and beliefs linking them with the country when we've been camping and the connection that comes from being outside. The colours and ambience of the trees with the excitement and necessity of fire and how they must combine to provide heat and light.

I'm sure as the trip unfolds many other bits about Aboriginal culture will emerge. It's already a fascinating topic to see within Australia culture both positively and negatively so we'll see what else we can find out.