Dreaming of Australia's Aborigines

Author: Zhou Xiaoping
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-01
Features: A cultural adventure of a Chinese travel artist! He ventured into deserts and jungles nine times over a span of fifteen years, finally unlocking the historical door of the indigenous people. The "Dreamtime" of Australian Aborigines became his spiritual sanctuary. This book is a travelogue chronicling his journey across Australia and his experiences with Aboriginal culture. Through it, we can see desert towns, the Aboriginal painter Jamie, mysterious families in the jungle, and more, allowing us to appreciate the enduring and brilliant civilization of the Aboriginal people living on the world's largest island. The Aboriginal people have thrived on the world's largest island since ancient times, and their long-standing civilization is as splendid as Chinese culture, both being invaluable treasures shared by humanity. Due to the absence of a written language, Aboriginal oral culture is particularly rich. Specific historical and environmental factors have shaped their unique way of thinking: Aboriginal people often place the spirits of the past and the descendants of the future together in the wilderness. Through rituals, dialogues, proverbs, and legends, they express special meanings and wisdom. In recent years, the Aboriginal people have become somewhat more open to the outside world, hoping to share their ancestral civilization with those who treat them equally. However, many traditional ceremonies remain strictly forbidden to outsiders. The author of this book was permitted to take photographs, record videos, and participate in these events, presenting a comprehensive introduction to Aboriginal culture in Australia through a combination of text and visuals.