AussiePOD: Aussie Picture Of the Day

The Dreaming has different meanings for different Aboriginal people. It is a complex network of knowledge, faith and practices that derive from stories of creation. The Dreaming sets out the structures of society, the rules for social behaviour and the ceremonies performed in order to maintain the life of the land. It governs the way people live and how they should behave. During the Dreaming, ancestral spirits came to earth and created the landforms, the animals and plants. The spirits had the power to change shape and sometimes took the form of stars, rain, wind, or animals. Other Dreaming stories tell about sacred places and objects that Aboriginal people must treat with respect.

The Rainbow Serpent is a powerful symbol of the creative and destructive power of nature. As one of the first creators, the Rainbow Serpent taught the Aboriginal people their laws and ceremonies. Many believe that disobeying these laws will make the serpent angry and bring floods, earthquakes, and other natural disasters.

TheMimi are tall, thin beings that live in the rocky escarpment of northern Australia as spirits. Before the coming of Aboriginal people they had human forms. The Mimi are generally harmless but on occasions can be mischievous. When Aboriginal people first came to northern Australia, the Mimi taught them how to hunt and cook kangaroos and other animals. They also did the first rock paintings and taught Aboriginal people how to paint.