Aboriginal Religions in Australia

By Françoise Dussart

Book Description

Discover the profound spiritual wisdom of the world's oldest continuous religious traditions through this comprehensive exploration of Aboriginal Australian beliefs and practices. Drawing from twenty-five years of scholarly research, this anthology brings together diverse perspectives from anthropologists, cultural historians, and religious philosophers to illuminate sacred systems that have evolved and adapted across fifty millennia.

At the heart of these ancient traditions lies the Dreaming, a foundational concept that transcends simple mythology to encompass the very fabric of existence. This sacred time, when Ancestor Spirits shaped the land and established moral and ceremonial laws, continues to guide Aboriginal understanding of territory, kinship, ritual expression, and artistic creation. Rather than remaining frozen in antiquity, these spiritual frameworks demonstrate remarkable dynamism, continuously reinterpreting themselves through contemporary indigenous art movements and engaging with modern religious influences like Christianity.

This scholarly collection makes previously inaccessible material available to general readers and students seeking to understand these extraordinary belief systems. The contributors examine how Aboriginal religions have maintained their essential character while creatively responding to changing circumstances throughout history. For those interested in exploring humanity's deepest spiritual roots and understanding how ancient wisdom adapts to contemporary challenges, this anthology offers invaluable insights into religious traditions that have demonstrated unparalleled resilience and creative renewal across thousands of generations.