Aboriginal Ceremonies

Page Four

Many schools celebrate Aboriginal culture in their curriculum and children may do the dances right in the school grounds, coached by their elders. This is truly "two-way" education where they make sure they don't forget their culture in today's world.
Among the most spectacular manifestations of Aboriginal culture are the ceremonies and dances that are regularly performed in remote Outback Australia. Traditional dances are also often performed in the communities just for fun and, for instance, to celebrate the opening of a new building. But also at funerals in Top End communities traditional dances are held.
The Aboriginal communities in the Centre are among the most traditional in Australia. The ancient rituals are still very important indeed. There are many secret and sacred ceremonies that may only be attended by initiated men or boys undergoing initiation, but there are also very important ceremonies that are open for all.

A dance from the older Warlpiri women from Lajamanu community on the edge of the Tanami.

Warlpiri girls from Lajamanu, learning their dances from the older women.

Girls from Ntaria (Hermannsburg), to the west of Alice Springs, are painted up for a traditional dance.

Pitjantjatjara women from Tjurma, South Australia, dance with traditional "nulla nulla" fighting sticks at the Festival of Pacific Arts in Townsville, Queensland.