Spirituality is at the heart of Indigenous culture and guides a broad range of beliefs, values, and customs that First Nations people build into every aspect of their lives. Learning about this ancient culture and how practises contribute to the way we manage our interactions, health, and spiritual wellbeing can be hugely insightful.
Literature and educational resources allow us all to explore Aboriginal spirituality, respect and acknowledge customs and beliefs, and access wisdom that may add value to our own lives and experiences.
Journey Into Dreamtime is a respected Aboriginal Dreamtime book authored by Elder Aunty Munya. It shares education about your own Dreaming, the relevance of spiritual wisdom in today’s world, and the ‘Kanyini’ meaning, among many other topics.
The Importance of Spirituality to Indigenous Communities
In many Western cultures, we mistakenly interchange spirituality and religion, perceiving these two separate and distinct practises as one and the same. In Aboriginal culture, spirituality isn’t an act of worship or praise but an overarching approach to life, relationships and behaviour.
Connection to Country is intrinsically tied to spirituality. Indigenous communities believe that they have a responsibility to act as custodians, not owners, of the land and its natural resources. Rather than extracting limited resources, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people believe in balance, taking no more than is needed, and protecting the land, ecosystems, environment, and wildlife to ensure they thrive long into the future.
Connection to Country
One of the concepts that many find difficult to understand is that connection to Country is also a physical and practical asset. First Nations people might, for example, decide to return to Country when facing a difficult challenge, or to find a peaceful space to relax and think.
When we appreciate the significance of Country, we can quickly see how contentions can arise. Aboriginal communities might feel that exploiting local natural resources by mining, digging, or commercial farming directly contradicts their duty to safeguard the land and preserve natural resources for future generations.
What Are the Key Beliefs Woven Into Aboriginal Spirituality?
It is essential to reiterate that beliefs, customs, and spirituality may vary between Indigenous communities. While many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people share common beliefs and traditions, these may also be unique to the specific area or landscape.
First Nations people have a rich and ancient culture that has been shaped over the generations, and spirituality is equally diverse. However, some underlying beliefs remain consistent and apply to many First Nations people and groups.
Indigenous Ancestors and the Dreaming
The Dreaming is perhaps best described as a spiritual world where constants like time cease to exist. The Ancestors watch over and guide Indigenous people throughout their lives and can answer questions, provide protection, or offer spiritual guidance during difficult periods of time.
Many Indigenous people believe that when they die, they will join the Dreaming and reunite with loved ones, Ancestors, and Creators. Ancestors exist in harmony with the Creators, and while different regions and communities will honour and respect different Creator Spirits, many people will refer to them when they are experiencing a major life change or need to reflect on their values and morals before moving forward.
Just as Creator Spirits like the Rainbow Serpent are honoured in many groups, there are also ‘bad’ spirits like the Bunyip and mischievous spirits called the ‘Doolagahs’ or ‘Little Men.’
Connections and Community
The concept of family within many Indigenous communities is far broader than in other cultures, where everything is connected, and people are all responsible for each other. First Nations communities are less centred on looking after one’s self and immediate family members but perceive the community as one whole to which everybody belongs.
Family systems extend beyond the typical construct of parents and children and might include grandparents, aunts and uncles, and Elders in the community. All people play a part in supporting and nurturing children, and many Aboriginal and First Nations people refer to their friends and wider family as brother and sister as a form of endearment.
Kinship is a dynamic system that tells people how they fit into the community, their obligations towards others, and the stories and customs that guide their behaviour, social norms, and values–where they learn from Elders and community leaders as much as from their immediate mothers and fathers.
