Astronomy
What Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples see in the sky are not only planets, stars and other physical bodies, but something much grander: a confirmation of what we already know about how the world operates – time, life, our place in the universe.
In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, everything on the land is reflected in the sky. The sky serves as a scientific textbook — a map — that is home to a wealth of knowledge for those who are able to interpret and read the information it holds.
The positions of the sun, moon, and stars in relation to the Australian landscape provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with information to predict changes in the environment in relation to seasons, weather patterns and the behaviour of plants and animals. It is this relationship between the sky, people and country that enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to thrive with the Australian landscape, harvesting what they need and ensuring sustainability for future generations.
The objects and natural phenomena in the sky provide a blueprint for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to safely navigate long journeys across the lands, seas and waterways. The sky holds valuable information about food sources and livelihood, travel paths and optimum times to travel during the year.
Through story, song and dance, knowledge to read the intricate map of the sky and landscape is transferred between generations. Passing oral histories also gives context about social order and relationships.
This knowledge is a living part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and continues to evolve. Through the sharing of these practices, all Australians can better appreciate the depth, wealth and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomical knowledge and its contribution to our national identity.
Country / Place
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The sky holds a wealth of scientific and geographic knowledge, which is interpreted and deciphered in different ways by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Astronomical knowledge is encoded in the positions of celestial objects – everything on the Australian landscape is reflected in the sky:
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What kind of information does the sky hold?
What can the positions of the sun, moon and stars in relation to the Australian landscape tell us about our environment? How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples use celestial objects as a navigational tool? |
Culture
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ oral traditions are highly detailed and complex.
The relationship between the sky, people and country enables Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to thrive in the Australian landscape, harvesting what they need and ensuring sustainability for future generations. |
How do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ oral traditions effectively transmit knowledge across generations?
How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories be interpreted/what can be inferred? How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander astronomical knowledge evolve?
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People
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Australia has the world’s first astronomers who continue to hold and communicate valuable astronomical knowledge. Knowledge held in the Australian sky both shapes and reflects the culture in which it lives.
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How does Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ astronomical knowledge shape our world view? What techniques or technologies do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples use to measure time and predict environmental changes? Why do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples use storytelling to teach lessons? How does astronomical knowledge inform Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ trade and economic practices? |