Explain three of the key features (or aspects) of Australian Indigenous Spirituality
Aboriginal spirituality is viewed as animistic, where everything is viewed interconnected. From the people, plants, and animals, landforms to celestial bodies are part of a larger reality. In this aspect of spirituality, everything is alive, which are all forces and energised by spirits. As such humans are viewed as equal to land animals and are morally obligated to respects and protect these animals and landforms. These spiritual forces are believed to make it rain, create natural growth, assist in hunting and food gathering and help with finding partners.
Aboriginal spirituality is largely oral, unlike other religions such as Christianity that document all there stories in sacred books like the bible. A young aboriginal is responsible for guiding there own spirituality and connection to the land. They are expected to learn the songs and dances, and how to perform the ceremonies.
Aboriginal spirituality is formed upon a hierarchical foundation. Which is a system in which people are arranged according to their importance. In the case of the aboriginals, they respect their elders and being called “aunty “ in a clan is the utmost respect as
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The rituals are a marker of age when a child becomes an adult. Every member of this ritual has there own role. The initiate is decorated with body paint and ornaments and is often given a permanent symbol on their bodies to show that they had been initiated into adult life. Initiated members would sometimes have a tooth removed, their ears or nose pierced or flesh cut with particular sacred markings. Other members of the family would also carry special markings to commemorate the event. Special knowledge and skills are passed on through initiation ceremonies. These enable the new adult to function accordingly and in a new way within the language