Who are they – Indigenous Australians?

Australian Aborigines are a fantastic part of the population of the Green Continent. They preserve their ancient customs and ways while living in a civilised country where technology, science, culture and other spheres of life of modern man are actively developing. How do they exist in such a contrasting world, and what do some of the most mysterious people do today?

Aborigines of Australia – photos and interesting facts

Let’s dive into the history and life of Australian Aborigines and learn a few curious facts about these people.

What race do the Australian Aborigines belong to

Historians say the Green Continent was settled about 40-50 thousand years ago. Modern Indigenous Australians belong to a separate race – Australoid. Traits of this race are also in the population of South and South-East Asia, as well as Oceania, but the inhabitants of the Australian continent – the most typical and representative representatives of the Australoid race.

Now, in Australia, there are three types of aborigines: Barrenian, Carpentaria, and Murray. You can find many photos of women and men of each type on the network. They are all slightly different in height, skin tone and hair colour. These differences are because their ancestors arrived on the continent at various times and from different places.

Before the colonial period began in the eighteenth century, the indigenous population was estimated at 300,000, 700,000, or even 3 million. However, due to Europeans‘ aggressive and invasive policy, the number of locals significantly decreased—different researchers gave data from 30 to 60 thousand people by 1921. However, modern authorities have devoted much effort to the rehabilitation and socialisation of the Indigenous population, so, according to the last census (unfortunately, only in 2001), about 437 thousand Aborigines are living in Australia.

Mythology, beliefs and traditions

The primitive people inhabiting Australia, like all ancient societies, had their religion and views of the world around them. Some of their beliefs are still alive today. In particular, the Aborigines believe the world was created by a supreme being who ascended to heaven. In addition to this being in their mythology, various spirits dwell in the dream world and control the sun, moon and natural phenomena. The dream world and the real world can overlap and influence each other. In addition, the man himself, according to Indigenous Australians, can control what happens in the sky.

By the way, the Aborigines pay much attention to the starry sky in their mythology. However, despite their knowledge, historians have found no reliable evidence that Australians used any calendar related to the moon’s phases or knowledge of the stars for navigation.

Each Aboriginal clan has its totem – a plant or animal with which the group feels so connected that they can imagine it is their ancient ancestor. Oddly enough, most totems are animals or plants that Aboriginal people eat. However, they do so only when necessary and express great regret at having to take their lives.

Languages and dialects

The peculiarity of the language of Indigenous Australians is that it … does not exist. That is, the entire Aboriginal population speaks no single language. When Europeans arrived on the continent in the XVIII century, there were about 500 tribes that spoke about 250 languages. Because of the decline in the Aboriginal population, there are now about 200 languages left, but they are not as widely spoken as they used to be.

Of course, the majority of indigenous Australians know English—it is taught in schools, and television and radio programmes are broadcast in it. Now, the Aborigines even have their channel in English, so information is available to a resident of any Australian tribe from any part of the continent. However, older Aborigines who honour tradition prefer communicating in their dialects.

Hunting and gathering

According to historians, before colonisation, Aboriginal Australians hunted and gathered. Their diet was based on the meat of wild animals, fish, shellfish, herbs and roots. The Australians had no agriculture. However, they knew about the peculiarities of wild grains and how to make flour and cakes from them.
Australia’s flora and fauna are rich in species diversity, and the indigenous people adapted well to their environment. The natural conditions under which they survived and provided clothing and food for their families seemed unimaginable to European settlers. They knew how to make all kinds of tools from stones and wood. Incidentally, it is the indigenous Australians who are credited with the invention of the boomerang – they used it for hunting. In addition to weapons and tools, they have successfully mastered manufacturing strong ropes, wicker baskets, clothing, bedding, jewellery and other household items from improvised materials.

How Aboriginal Australians live in the twenty-first century

Contemporary Australian policy is aimed at restoring Aboriginal rights and territories lost during colonisation. The government is carrying out active social changes to introduce education and promote the cultural features of Indigenous people. Poverty and crime rates remain relatively high among them, but the authorities are endeavouring to remedy the situation.

Indigenous people were now found throughout the continent. Some lived in isolation, maintaining an almost primitive way of life. Parts of the country are given to such aborigines as property, and tourists can’t get there. However, many indigenous Australians have moved to large cities for work and a comfortable life. In particular, quite a lot can be found in South Wales or the suburbs of Sydney. In addition, almost every city has “Aboriginal cultural centres” where you can learn exciting details and see unusual artefacts.

When traveling, be sure to schedule one of our Aboriginal tribal tours to embrace this fantastic continent’s history fully!