"Astronomy, in the sense of a comprehensive and coherent body of knowledge about the stars, was an integral component of Aboriginal culture.
Like the Newtonian-based system of Western science, it represented an
attempt to construct a view of the Universe as an ordered and unified system,
but in most ways it was fundamentally different. It was relational rather than
mathematically-based, and it was concerned with similarity rather than with
difference, with synthesis rather than analysis, with symbiosis rather than
separation. It is significant, in this regard, that the Aborigines had no myth of
alienation from Nature, such as the expulsion from Eden of the Judaeo-
Christian tradition. On the contrary they believed that through their Great
Ancestors they, too, were continuing co-creators of the natural world."
Thanks for raising the topic Eric, and for the link (and asscociated ones) re Aboriginal cultures and astronomy. I though it appropriate to start a new thread specifically addressing the subject matter.
One of the things that I have allways been eager to communicate to people are the amazing and extremely subtle myriads of "elements" to our ancestors lives, philosophies and lived behaviour: the lores and laws, encompassed within what we term "reciprocity," alluded to in the above quote.
Importantly these (cultural) mores are indeed cultural legacies: I have had the privilege over many years of having met and spoken with both my elders and peers on a multitude of associated topics; all of whom have, despite the devestation and disruptions through the last couple of centuries, managed to maintain to a remarkable degree , if not the entirity, many of the core elements, as well as much of the extended knowledge/information, of our ancestors.
As a professional artist dedicated (through art/story-telling) to espousing the subtleties/complexities of our cultures; I have had the privilege to explore some of this via the visual medium. My community invovment in various forums etc (eg as a past chairperson of Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute etc) has also facilitated my communications with Aboriginal people Australia-wide, and on occassions with Indigenous Nations' people overseas.
As one of my good friends and supporters "Uncle" Lewis O'Brien (one of the Adelaide Plains Kaurna Elders and a champion of Reconciliation and Respect) is wont to say, his grandmother not only had to be able to speak numerous languages, as was the social necessity of tribal life (note: languages, not dialects) but she also had to become fluent in English as well, teaching her (English) husband to read and write in (his) native tongue! Not too many people would begrudge a description of "intelligent" to such a capable person. On a more personal note my grandmother, from a very limited educational background, was often presumed to be (at least) engaged in some sort of "teaching profession" by educated whitefellas - by virtue of her articulation and erudition: though she toiled for much of her life as an unpaid domestic.
Which is all to say that posts and links re the aforesaid articles etc, that give people today a true insight into not only what our ancestors were capable of - but in many ways more importantly - what we can contribute today to Australian society are great to see!!!
Kindest regards, Darryl.
ps - glad you could use that collimator Eric.
