jjares reviewed Australian Mythology: Captivating Dreamtime Stories of Indigenous Australians on + 3307 more book reviews
When we visited Australia many years ago, the Indigenous peoples seemed to all be one language and culture (generally, because they spoke a form of English, but lived separately from the Europeans). However, this book explains that there are many Indigenous tribes with individual cultures, religions, and languages.
The Dreamtime is an important concept for Indigenous Australians; referring to a mythic past where the world was newly made and the animals talked and lived like people. It also refers to their belief that the past and present exist together in a continuum. There are three parts of the Australian myths.
ORIGINS OF THINGS AND HOW THE WORLD CAME TO BE: Although Australian creation myths are generally regional in nature, the belief in the character of the Rainbow Serpent is continent-wide. In some parts of Australia, the knife-wielding Pundjel is the creator-god, while in others, Baiame does that work, with the help of Yhi.
STORIES OF GODS, HEROES, AND MONSTERS: As mentioned above, Baiame is a creator-god. However, he also appears as a hero who experiences many dangers and emerges victorious. Then, there are a pair of semi-divine heroes, the Winjarning Brothers, who travel about helping those in need.
TALES ABOUT ANIMALS AND BIRDS: These are charming stories that explain the unique features of animals and birds in Australia: 'How the Kangaroo Got Its Tail,' 'How the Koala Lost His Tail,' and 'How the Turtle Got its Shell' (to name a few).
This is a unique collection of stories from Indigenous Australians. The author took the time to set the stage for the reader (just before telling the story). Unusual terms or tools are explained, so the reading of the tales goes smoother. Delightful reading.
The Dreamtime is an important concept for Indigenous Australians; referring to a mythic past where the world was newly made and the animals talked and lived like people. It also refers to their belief that the past and present exist together in a continuum. There are three parts of the Australian myths.
ORIGINS OF THINGS AND HOW THE WORLD CAME TO BE: Although Australian creation myths are generally regional in nature, the belief in the character of the Rainbow Serpent is continent-wide. In some parts of Australia, the knife-wielding Pundjel is the creator-god, while in others, Baiame does that work, with the help of Yhi.
STORIES OF GODS, HEROES, AND MONSTERS: As mentioned above, Baiame is a creator-god. However, he also appears as a hero who experiences many dangers and emerges victorious. Then, there are a pair of semi-divine heroes, the Winjarning Brothers, who travel about helping those in need.
TALES ABOUT ANIMALS AND BIRDS: These are charming stories that explain the unique features of animals and birds in Australia: 'How the Kangaroo Got Its Tail,' 'How the Koala Lost His Tail,' and 'How the Turtle Got its Shell' (to name a few).
This is a unique collection of stories from Indigenous Australians. The author took the time to set the stage for the reader (just before telling the story). Unusual terms or tools are explained, so the reading of the tales goes smoother. Delightful reading.
