In Australian Aboriginal culture, life is based on a foundation of beliefs which are called the Dreamtime, or The Dreaming. This is a complex set of ideas with deep levels of meanings. The Dreamtime has four parts: The beginning of everything; the life and power of the ancestors; the way of life and death; and power in life. Dreamtime was all four of these things at the same time because it is more powerful than time and space. In it all things exist at once. The Aboriginal peoples call Dreamtime the all-at-once time because they think it is the past, present, and future at the same time. It is a beginning that has no end.
They meet The Dreamtime by doing special dances and singing special songs. Aboriginals believe that people have a part of them that will live forever. This part existed before a person was born and will exist after they die. It exists in The Dreamtime.
Dust Echoes is a series of twelve beautifully animated Dreamtime stories from Central Arnhem Land. These are stories of love, loyalty, duty to Country, and Aboriginal custom and law. Each chapter is supported by in-depth study guides created by ATOM, addressing the cross-curriculum priorities of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures.
1. Whirlpool Song
There is a sacred part of the Limmen Bight River where the freshwater people never make a sound.
Whirlpool Song is the legend that tells us why. It starts when one day, long ago, the saltwater people pursued the freshwater people in canoes. Whirlpool Song is a Yirritja story that is told in Marra language.
Whirlpool: Click the image to watch the Whirlpool Song
Things to think about
1.Can you find the Limmen Bight River and Roper River on a map of Arnhem Land? Where do you think the freshwater and saltwater people might be from?
2.What is your interpretation of the story told in the animation? What do you think is the message of the story?
3.The narrator at the end of the clip says it’s important to be quiet to avoid danger. Why do you think it’s important to the traditional owners that this message is passed on to future generations?
Whirlpool Song: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
2. Mermaid Story
A song man goes wandering one day and later finds himself living with mermaids under a waterfall.
As time passes, he misses his family terribly and must make a choice. Mermaid Story is a Dhuwa story that’s told in the Dalabon language.
Click the image to watch the Mermaid Story
Things to think about
1.Looking at an Aboriginal language map of Australia, can you find out where the Dalabon language was spoken? What do you think the country might be like there? Would you expect a story about mermaids to come from this area?
2.What is your interpretation of the story told in the animation? What do you think is the message of the story?
3.What is your interpretation of the story told in the animation? What do you think is the message of the story?
Mermaid Story: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
3. Brolga Song
Old Victor is a song man, and he’s searching for his dreaming body so he can finally feel complete.
He asks all the animals until he finds who is carrying the spirit of his fathers. Brolga Song is a Dhuwa story that is told in Rembarrnga language.
Click the image to watch the Brolga Song
Things to think about
1.What do you think is the message of the story? Do you know what is meant by a “dreaming body”?
2.Old Victor wanted to know if was he Yirritja or Dhuwa? Can you find out what this question means?
3.This story is called Brolga Song. What do you understand about how animals are very important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
Brolga Song: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
4. Morning Star
A camp has experienced its first death, so Mardiyhin must begin — the ceremony of birth, life and death.
Morning Star is a very ancient story. The storyteller, Victor Hood, says it comes “from the dust”, which means it comes from the Dreamtime. This story is told in Rembarrnga language.
Click the image to watch Morning Star
Things to think about
1.What do you think is the importance of the story? What messages do you think the storyteller wants to pass on?
2.Banumbirr or Morning Star is important to Yolgnu culture. Can you find out her planetary name in the solar system?
3.Do you have any rituals in your life or do you know of any rituals other people practise? What are they and why do people engage in them?
Morning Star: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
5. Namorrodor
A shooting star crosses the night sky.
This meteor transforms into a terrifying spirit creature that is attracted to the smell of cooking meat and hunts babies to eat their hearts. This ancient Yirritja story is told throughout the Arnhem Land region.
Click the image to watch Namorrodor
Things to think about
1.Who do you think might have been told this story? What message do you think it’s trying to tell its listeners?
2.In Aboriginal astronomy and storytelling, meteors are often associated with evil magic or entities. Why do you think this might be?
3.Namorrodor is a scary story. Scary stories are common in fairy tales. Find another example of a scary story that’s told to children.
Namorrodor: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
6. The Curse
Another story featuring the flesh-eating spirit, Namorrodor.
Here, a camp is terrorised by Namorrodor, who has been summoned by the witchdoctor man. The Curse is a Yirritja story that’s told in Dalabon language. (Warning: This animation may frighten younger children)
Click the image to play The Curse
Things to think about
1.Do you think this story is meant to be a cautionary tale? What message do you think the story is trying to convey?
2.What do you think of the way magic is presented in the story? What motivations do the characters have to use magic?
3.Monsters are universal figures in human storytelling. What other stories can you think of that are similar to this one? What do they have in common?
The Curse: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
7. Moonman
Before it was in the sky, the moon was a man who was very proud of his sons, until they disrespected him.
This story is a creation myth that explains the origins of the moon and why it rises full each month. Moonman is a Dhuwa story told in Ritharrngu language.
Click the image to play Moonman
Things to think about
1.This story is a way of explaining a naturally occurring phenomenon. Can you think of other stories around the world that also explain natural events such as the lunar cycle?
2.What do you think are the main ideas behind the story? What might they have to do with the rise and fall of the moon?
3.Can you find out the Indigenous name for the moon in your local area? There are many online resources on Aboriginal Astronomy that can help.
Moonman: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
8. The Be
Something mysterious has been scaring the camp.
Two special brothers set off to find out what it is. This story comes from Dalabon country.
Click the image to play The Be
Things to think about
1.The stories we tell reveal a lot about our culture and what we value. How would you describe what happens in this story? What do you think is the central message?
2.Why do you know about the meaning and purpose of a corroboree to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples?
3.Why do you think this story is called “The Be”?
The Be: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
9. Spear
A man makes a magic spear that causes the witchdoctor man to be jealous of him.
When the spearman goes hunting, the witchdoctor tries to seize power in the camp. Spear is a Yirritja story that is told in Dalabon language. (Warning: This animation may frighten younger children).
Click the image to watch The Spear
Things to think about
1.What do you think are the central themes of the story? Why do you think this story might be important for an Aboriginal community?
2.The number seven is significant in this story. Can you identify where groups of seven appear in the story?
3.The witch doctor man takes his power from the old woman’s dilly bag. What do you know about dilly bags and their uses?
Spear: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
10. The Wagalak Sisters
The Wagalak Sisters once created the landscape, but their power was stolen when they weren’t paying attention.
The story of the Wagalak (or Wagilag) Sisters is told across Arnhem Land. The place where the story is said to have taken place remains a sacred site. No-one at all is allowed to go there — not men, women or children, Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
Click the Image to watch The Wagalak Sisters
Things to think about
1.The Wagalak Sisters are Dreamtime figures. What does this mean?
2.What do you think are the key themes in this story, and how do animals play a part?
3.What is the significance of the Rainbow Serpent
The Wagalak Sisters: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
11. The Bat and the Butterfly
A skilled young hunter performs a cowardly act by kidnapping a young woman and taking her away from the camp.
This behaviour has consequences for himself and the clan. The Bat and The Butterfly is a Dhuwa story that’s told in Ritharrngu language.
Click the image to watch The Bat and the Butterfly
Things to think about
1.What do you think is the central message of this story? Who do you think is the intended audience for this?
2.What do you know about Aboriginal moieties? How might they be relevant to this story? (You can learn about Aboriginal kinship systems in chapter three of our Kakadu Digibook.)
3.Many traditional stories in Australia and around the world feature the theme of transformation into an animal. Can you think of some examples?
The Bat and the Butterfly: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
12. The Mimis
A young boy anxious to prove himself tries to go hunting in the evening.
This is the time of day when the mimis come out of their underworld to prepare the land for the next day. The boy follows the mimi spirits and is missed by the rest of the camp. The story is owned by the Dhuwa moiety at Wugularr (Beswick) Community.
Click the image to watch The Mimis
Things to think about
1.What do you think is the central message of this story? Who do you think is the intended audience for this?
2.What kind of beings are the mimis?
3.Other-worldly beings who teach humans valuable lessons are common to stories around the world. Can you think of some other examples?
The Mimis: Study Guide / Student Worksheet
Acknowledgement and credits
In collaboration with the Djilpin Aboriginal Arts Corporation.
Copyright
Metadata © Australian Broadcasting Corporation 2020 (except where otherwise indicated).
Digital content © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated).
Video © Australian Broadcasting Corporation (except where otherwise indicated).
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Text © Australian Broadcasting Corporation.