Harrell - Indigenous Traditions

While researching for another class, I came across an article published by ABC entitled, Indigenous Traditions - Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In this writing, it described Australia of having two indigenous peoples – Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. They then write that it is not possible to speak of one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander religion, as there were many. There are, however, shared cultural traits, economic and ceremonial dealings, and a customary system of land-tenure law. This article wrote of the great variety of religious beliefs Australian holds; describing in particular, inhabitants that happen to be one of the oldest societies in the world and the truly interesting beliefs they hold. Although indigenous beliefs and cultural practices vary according to region, all groups share in a common world-view that the land and other natural phenomena possess living souls. The collection of stories of these powerful beings and the repository of knowledge represented in these stories shapes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander law, both its history and future. I find that this article can be seen as a perfect example of the content we discussed in class shown in real life. I believe that whomever wrote this article did a truly great job discussing the beliefs of these cultures.

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