Australian aboriginal culture

Originally published in 1953 as the accompaniment to the UNESCO Travelling Exhibition on the way of life of Australian Aboriginals, this booklet (it is only 48 pages long) was, due to its popularity, republished in a new edition in 1973 (reprinted with correction 1974).

It is a very straightforward, but solid introduction to Aboriginal culture and people, covering off all the basics, but in a relatively general way - as required by the limited space for text. I say in a general way, because there is so much variance in the culture over the many tribes, locations and habitats, that there would be far too much to cover unless they concentrated in one area - but that isn't the purpose of the booklet.

Origins, tribal lands, men's way of life, women's way of live, dwellings, fire, religion and ceremonies, magic and medicine, games, music, dress, watercraft, hunting & fighting, the boomerang, stone tools, bone artifacts, trade and exchange, rock carving, cave painting, bark painting and old age & death are all covered.

Each page of text is accompanied by a page of photographs - 7 or 8 photos per page, which illustrate provide examples relevant to the text. presumably many of the items photographed actually formed a part of the museum exhibition (which travelled Australia, New Zealand, the USA and Canada).

Hard to rate, but taking into account its introductory purpose, and size, it is a great little introduction.
4 stars.