Story telling helping us to better understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures
Have you ever heard of the Dreaming stories? They are incredible stories from First Nations cultures, passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. They carry strong significance in their culture as storytelling is not just a pastime for Indigenous Australians. It’s a way of life and a crucial tool for educating children from an early age.
For Indigenous communities, Dreaming stories are much more than just entertainment. They’re a powerful tool of teaching Aboriginal children about their history, their land, and their place in the world. These stories are passed down from adults to children, helping them understand how their land came to be shaped and inhabited, and how to behave in accordance with their laws and cultural values. But the Dreaming stories are also full of practical lessons. Indigenous children learned from them where to find food and water, and how to survive in the harsh Australian environment. They also provide a moral compass for how to live in harmony with nature and each other.
These stories can be a great gateway to learning about First Nations culture and beliefs. In our preschool children love listening to them and getting lost in the magical worlds they describe. We explore these cultural stories through story telling, drama, dance, song and arts as well as way to connect, understand and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. The richness and variety of these stories are incredible. Their level of complexity varies too. But from the well known ones our favourites are: “Gorilla the rainbow serpent”, “Tiddalick the frog”, “Emu and the sky”, “The Yowie”…
It is important to know that Dreaming Stories are way more than just fictional tales. They’re precious bits of knowledge about the world, society, and traditional laws. They were originally meant to guide us in living our best lives. So, it’s super important for us to treat these stories with respect and understand theirs serious purpose. They’re like puzzle boxes, filled with important messages that can be interpreted in different ways. Diving into them with children, to explore and unlock their wisdom together, can be a very rewarding and enjoyable process!
Remember to approach these stories with respect and cultural sensitivity. It’s always beneficial to learn from Indigenous sources and support Indigenous communities in their efforts to preserve and share their cultural heritage.