Jo Bridle, Emma Favretto, Anna Wowchuk

Topic 9: Role of elders in spiritual system in traditional/contemporary aboriginal society.

What is aboriginal spirituality?  Aboriginal spirituality is animistic, meaning they believe that all natural objects and the universe possess a spirit, for example, the kangaroo spirit and mother earth.  “Spirituality is a belief and the feeling within yourself that allows you to become part of the whole environment around you…the natural environment…birth life and death are all part of it and you welcome each….the dreamtime is there with them, it is not a long way away. The dreamtime is the environment that the aboriginal lived in and it still exists today, all around us”- Eddie Kneebone  “There is no past everything is still happening - the spiritual life of an Aboriginal person means living in the eternal present”- Banjo Clarke, Aboriginal Elder of Kirrae Whurrong Tribe, Gunditjmara Nation.  Aboriginal spirits exist as passed individuals (ancestors) and are associated with different aspects of the land – mother earth, father sky, grandfather sun and grandmother moon.  The land is the epicentre of their spirituality  “Aboriginals believe mostly in what they can see, feel and hear. Everything spiritual has its physical part, and everything physical has its spiritual part” -Banjo Clarke  Although highly important, the ceremonies, rituals, totems etc are simply materialistic representations of Aboriginal spirituality.  In a contemporary context indigenous spirituality coexists with Christianity. Christian aboriginals still respect aboriginal beliefs and old customs such as respect for the land and ancestral being. “I believe that the old ways and new ways can coexist in harmony, but for the sake of the earth and the life is supports, the old must never be lost.”- Banjo Clarke

Elders - Traditional  “I witnessed the role of the Elders and the nature of the leadership they provide to their communities. The Elders connected and bound by highly evolved sense of culture and tradition; they see leadership as a responsibility, not a reward…” Peter McConchie, author of ELDERS  Elders explain and conduct ceremonies and their spiritual meaning, sharing their knowledge to newly initiated aboriginals, thus elders role is to hand down spiritual history and culture “which myths enshrine” to the younger generation, this allows spirituality to be preserved and strengthens social sentiments, i.e. keeping unity and respect. It also meant that their roles would be passed down through generations.  Female and Male Elders played very different roles in traditional spiritual systems. The men tended to have greater access to knowledge of the tribe and its spiritual secrets and played a more prominent role in rituals, whilst women were isolated from this. Their

-1- Jo Bridle, Emma Favretto, Anna Wowchuk

responsibilities were more directed at initiation and marriage ceremonies, as well as the instruction of young women.  Rights and obligations of passing on religious knowledge, care of sacred materials and the conduct of rituals - in the responsibility of the elder men.  Women held rituals to control food, fertility and health.  Elders promote respect for the land “this land is the home of the dreamtime, the spirits came and painted themselves on these walls so that men could meet here, grow strong again and take his strength back into the world”. Bill Neidjie

Elders - Contemporary  Much of their role now involves re-inventing traditional spirituality (or the old ways) into today’s contemporary Christian society and finding a way out of aboriginal oppression and the cycle of drugs and crime.  Most elders press a need to resolve the problem of “spiritual homelessness” – until people feel happy, safe and at peace with their surroundings, aboriginal people will never recover.  It is important that the focus is on helping the young, both aboriginal and non-aboriginal, to understand both the old ways and new ways, so that they can move on together and help to reinvent and recreate a strong sense of aboriginal identity and spirituality.  Their role in traditional ceremonies and rituals and as the beholders of all wisdom and spiritual knowledge has tended to die out as these rituals and the reliance on aboriginal spirituality has tended to also die out.  Much of their time is spent teaching the younger generations and promoting tolerance.  In contemporary times, elders come to schools to tell the stories of their culture and spirituality, to teach them about their relationship to the land and prepare the children for corroborrees and other rituals.  Elders are images of courage and inspiration to communities as they have gone through the history and have lived many of the stories. This is particularly strong in contemporary times, especially in communities where there is a strong push towards re-inventing a sense of aboriginal identity and spirituality.

-2- Jo Bridle, Emma Favretto, Anna Wowchuk

Bibliography

Chance C, WISDOM MAN – BANJO CLARKE, Penguin Books, Victoria, 2003.

Clarke P, WHERE THE ANCESTORS WALKED, Allen & Unwin, Sydney, 2003.

Edwards W.H, AN INTRODUCTION TO ABORIGINAL SOCIETIES, Social Science Press, Wentworth Falls NSW, 1988.

Elkin A.P, THE AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINES, Anchor Books, New York, 1974.

McConachie P, ELDERS, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2003.

Mudrooroo, US MOB, HarperCollins Publishers, Australia, 1995.

Ryan V, FROM DIGGING STICKS TO WRITING STICKS, Catholic Education Office of Western Australia, Perth, 2001.

Other References

Mick Mundine – Aboriginal Housing Co.

Richard Green – Aboriginal Housing Co.

Peter Vahlis – Aboriginal Housing Co.

Stephen Page – Bangarra Dance Co.