Group+4

= **Traditions, Ceremonies and Art:** = = **Discover the rich traditions of the Aboriginal people** =

Watch this clip as inspiration for your group project: media type="custom" key="13480166"

To this day, ceremonies play an important part in Aboriginal life. Small ceremonies, or rituals, are still practised in some remote parts of Australia, such as in Arnhem Land and Central Australia, in order to ensure a supply of plant and animal foods. These take the form of chanting, singing, dancing or ritual action to invoke the Ancestral Beings to ensure a good supply of food or rain.
 * __Part A__**

The most important ceremonies are connected with the initiation of boys and girls into adulthood. Such ceremonies sometimes last for weeks, with nightly singing and dancing, story telling, and the display of body decoration and ceremonial objects. During these ceremonies, the songs and stories connected to each of the Ancestral Beings are told and retold.

media type="youtube" key="-eeJLhv28UI" height="213" width="283" media type="youtube" key="AEjMSbrFz7Y" height="211" width="278"

[]

Your task is to research traditional ceremonies/ traditions and what they entail. You may document your findings in the form of a powerpoint presentation. Be sure to include: • The name of the ceremony if appropriate • The importance of the ceremony or tradition • Elements of the ritual (i.e music, art, dance) • Pictures, videos and/or music • Clothing, body art

Useful Resources [|Corroborees & Ceremonies]

Aboriginal art represents and symbolises the world and the beliefs of its people. Religious and ceremonial aspects of life, being so important, are the inspiration for much art. Aboriginal art and decoration is an integral part of traditional life, and occurs as body decoration in ceremonies, on bark shelter and rock shelter walls, on trees, as sculpture, carved on rocks, weapons and utensils. There is enormous variety in the styles of Aboriginal art, see how they vary as you goes back in time!
 * __Part B__**

Looking at the different forms of art, discuss in your group the significant elements of each piece in regards to: • Colour • Shapes and lines • Texture • Value • Contrast • Technique • Symbols and imagery • Connections, patterns and meaning

Usefull Resources

[|Art Symbols & Story Telling] [|Traditional & Contemporary Aboriginal Art]





Here are some Aboriginal representations often used in artworks to tell a story, throughout your investigation you are to build upon this document of any other symbols or imagery you come accross

The Elders have invited you to create your own Aboriginal artwork in a form of your choice. You may wish to do a traditional Aboriginal painting, sculpture, mask or design body art for the participants of a traditional ceremony previously explored. Your final products will be attributed to the end of term exhibition.
 * __Part C__**

http://www.abc.net.au/res/libraries/cinerama2/cineramaEmbed.swf?version=2.0">http://educationvideo.com.au/btn/400/20091117_indigenouslanguage_hi.mp4&width=420&height=235&imageURL=http://www.abc.net.au/btn/image/story/2009/33-indigenouslanguage.jpg&title=Indigenous Language&pageURL=http://www.abc.net.au/btn/story/s2744198.htm"> Looking at how you'll be assessed.