STUDIES OF RELIGION HSC COURSEFOUNDATION STUDY 1: ABORIGINAL BELIEF SYSTEMS AND SPIRITUALITY

RITUAL PRACTICES

IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS

Totemism An entity – plant, animal or natural object – that has become the token or emblem of an individual or clan.

In Aboriginal Australia, ritual practices fall roughly into two classes: those occasioned by physical transitions (rites of passage) and periodic ceremonies unconnected with the life cycle and performed at various intervals for a variety of reasons. These may range from enjoying the ceremony to promoting the overall health and well-being of the whole group as with Balance rites, for example. Many of these rites are a combination of public and secret-sacred ceremonies.

Birth and Totems

Either on birth or before, individuals were given a totem which remained with that person for life. The totem defines the rights and duties of the individual and their relationship with others. A person’s totem determined the role they might have in preserving their environment and the special responsibility they might have in ensuring the protection and survival of the creature or element of land named as the totem. Aboriginal totemism is very complex, with individuals having several totems depending on the clan or group to which they belong. A totem may identify one’s kinship line or provide the individual with a direct link with sacred tribal matters. While one’s totem places the person in a particular group and therefore relationship structure, knowledge of one’s totem was carefully guarded.

Totemism is a system of belief that gives rise to the existence of that special link and also gives effect to the relationship between the Ancestral Beings through participation in a ceremonial event. Such an event enables communication with the Ancestral spirits and participation in the rejuvenation of that life force that ensures the stability of human experience Aborigines may have a combination of individual and group totems so as to ensure that the whole range of human expression is covered.

Totemism is formalised through ceremonialism. It is through dance, song and symbolism that aspects of creation are linked with the creative life force. Thus the balance and integrity of all creation is sustained, and the stability of life preserved. While totemism itself is not a religion, it contains religious elements because of the link that it makes between creation and the Ancestral Beings.

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In this lesson you will learn about the diversity of expression of Aboriginal belief systems and spirituality today.

Birth represents the return of Ancestral spirits from the Dreaming, and for this reason, conception in traditional society was seen in part as reincarnation, the birth marking the return of the spirit of a dead person. Because the spirit of the dead returned to the totemic site, possibly awaiting rebirth, it was commonly felt that the spirit chose a woman who passed by the particular site where it waited. In this way conception has been seen in terms of the rebirth of spirit children from spirit ancestors, returning on death to the spirit world perhaps to be reborn.

As a child, the care and socialisation process has been and is the responsibility of the family and close members of the kinship group, specific roles, tasks and duties being clearly defined by kinship ties. It is these kinship ties which bind all Aboriginal group members, both to each other and to the land. It is through the group that the Aboriginal child acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to fulfil their role as a member of the wider society.

Initiation

Initiation is the Aboriginal ritual ceremony or religious rite of passage denoting the transition from childhood to adulthood. There is male initiation and female initiation. Although there are various stages of initiation and different forms of initiation from one language group to another, the laws governing these practices are fixed, maintained and passed on from one generation to the next. Initiation brings with it responsibilities and obligations in both spiritual and social life.

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For each of the ritual practices – Describe the ritual What is the purpose of the ritual? What significance does this ritual have for the Aboriginal People? Does the ritual differ between Aboriginal groups? Explain.

Ritual: Birth

Description:

Purpose:

Significance:

Variations:

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Ritual: Male initiation

Description:

Purpose:

Significance:

Variations:

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Ritual: Female initiation

Description:

Purpose:

Significance:

Variations:

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Ritual: Death & burial

Description:

Purpose:

Significance:

Variations:

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Ritual: Cosmic balance

Description:

Purpose:

Significance:

Variations:

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References

Bartlett, T. (2000). HSC foundation study 1: Aboriginal belief systems and spirituality.

Board of Studies. (1999). Stage 6 syllabus: studies of religion. Sydney: Board of Studies New South Wales.

Lovat, T., & McGrath, J. (Eds.). (1999). New studies in religion. Katoomba: Social Science Press.

Morrissey, J., Mudge, P., Taylor, A., Bailey, G., Gregor, H., McGillion, C., O'Reilly, P., Magee, P., & Mills, L. (2001). Living religion (2nd ed.). Sydney: Longman.

Pattel-Gray, A. (2000). Aboriginal spirituality. In D. Parnham (Ed.), Exploring religion (2nd ed., pp. 177-202). South Melbourne: Oxford University Press.

© Emmaus Publications (2002). Every effort has been made to trace and acknowledge all materials used. This material may be photocopied for educational use only.

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