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My Journey, My Songline

In this final lesson the students will build on the knowledge and activities of the previous lessons to create an their own aerial perspective representing a personal journey.

 

If Google Maps could follow me as I cross the landscape, what would my journey look like?

 

 

Songlines 

 

'Songlines are like the boundaries of your country and enable Indigenous Australians to navigate across great distances by singing their songs in sequence. These songs identify major landmarks, such as rivers, rocks, hills, the sky and stars and in particular recognize spiritual and ancestoral sites of significance. Young people learn these from their elders and must “sing” the land to keep the Dreaming of their ancestors alive and to guide them throughout life. Song cycles can cover hundreds of kilometers and cross over the land of different language groups so it is only those who speak multiple languages who can fully understand the entire song.'

 

National Gallery of Victoria, Tradition and Transformation, 2016

References

 

 

Text:

 

National Gallery of Victoria, Tradition and Transformation, Songlines, retrieved 30 January 2016, <http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ngvschools/TraditionAndTransformation/glossary/> 

 

Image:

 

Ada Dixon, Japingka Gallery, retrieved 30 January 2016, <http://www.japingka.com.au/articles/songlines-important-aboriginal-art/>

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