. Bulletin. Natural history; Science. The opossum tree myth painted by Narridjin, Mangalili clan. Northeastern Arnhem Land. The myth tells the story ol a lonely bird. Karawak. and how he found his friend, the opossum, to talk ancestors. Prominent landmarks are associated with tlie great myths; for example, a large boulder may be one of the Dreamtime creatures who was turned to stone; a river was created by a crocodile who chewed his way through a mountain. The stars and constellations were also created by the Dreamtime beings. The moon was once a mythical hero, the Milky Way, a great rive
. Bulletin. Natural history; Science. The opossum tree myth painted by Narridjin, Mangalili clan. Northeastern Arnhem Land. The myth tells the story ol a lonely bird. Karawak. and how he found his friend, the opossum, to talk ancestors. Prominent landmarks are associated with tlie great myths; for example, a large boulder may be one of the Dreamtime creatures who was turned to stone; a river was created by a crocodile who chewed his way through a mountain. The stars and constellations were also created by the Dreamtime beings. The moon was once a mythical hero, the Milky Way, a great river in the sky. The aborigines believe that the wet and dry seasons first began because of the actions of the totemic ancestors, who also created all the animals, birds, and other creatures. In some cases, such as the flying fox and the whale, these creatures were once human; in other instances, such as the goanna and the bush turkey, they existed in their original form, but were named by the creation ancestors. Since totems are an integral part of the ceremonies and are used in magic and in daily life, the story of the origin and powers of the totems is featured on many of the barks. The totem may be the primary theme—either in a sacred or secular role—or it may be shown in the background or associated with one of the primary figures of the design. Some totems are shown in a conventionalized manner; for example, a narrow rectangle may represent Yurlungurr, the sacred python. These symbolic representations can be recognized only by the initiated. Most totemic figures, however, can be identified readily. Each individual and group among the aborigines has its sacred totems, which were created by the ancestors m the Dreamtime and then passed on through the generations. The totem, which may be a living creature, a natural feature, or a special object, has power through its totemic spirit, which is invoked in ceremonies to act as guardian and protector, to increase the food supply
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, booksubjectnaturalhistory, booksubjectscience
