Aboriginal Culture

At contact there was no single, homogeneous Aboriginal society. Groups differed in aspects of their cultural and social organisation, and in the Northern Territory alone, over 100 different languages were spoken. These were separate languages, as unlike one another as French and Russian. Existence of widespread social networks meant that people had to be multilingual to communicate. The Arrernte group could speak up to 10 languages / dialects.

Likewise, music and dance, kinship systems, art forms and ceremonies differed dramatically between regions. Yet these differences were probably less important than the underlying similarities which brought groups together for ceremonies, for trade, to intermarry, and which allowed the maintenance of myths, and song lines and exhange cycles that extended over hundreds of kilometres. Even today regional variations remain ; there is no one Aboriginal society and people in different regions tend to emphasise their own distinctness and identity.


Aboriginal Ceremonies Songs & Dances

Traditional Ceremonial Rituals are cherished by all Australian Aboriginal people. They differ in content, style and reason – however, they have been and still are an inherent part of the culture of the Aborigine throughout the country, from the Top End, Kimberley, Central and Western Desert, Tiwi Islands, Arnhem Land, Alice Springs, Utopia, to the far south of the Continent.

Many associate the words "Aboriginal Ceremony" with deeply sensitive and serious themes, and indeed they are – Initiation Ceremonies, Dreaming Ceremonies, Bereavements.. However, Aborigines perform ceremonies for many different occasions – these incorporate song and dance events to celebrate Christmas, Holiday ("sit-down time"), important seasonal changes and social events.

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Kitja Artists of the Kimberley Region

Normally spelt Kija or Gidja, we believe the correct spelling is Kitja. The letter 'K' in Aboriginal language is pronounced 'G' and 'T' is pronounced 'G' – i.e. "Kartiya" pronounced "Gudia" = whiteman.

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Aboriginal Dancing

Traditional dancing is part of the core structure of Aboriginal Tradition. Sometimes called Joonba ( heritage corroboree), Wangka (Festive Corroboree), Munga Munga (women’s corroboree), dancing has from time immemorial to the present day been used by all Australian Aboriginal tribes both for ritual purposes and to express and represent many many facets of their lives and beliefs.

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Customer Testimonials

  1. Customer Testimonials

    I wanted to send on an enormous thank you to your family and its business.
    I picked up the painting today from the framers, it is absolutely mesmerising.
    Thanks for making the purchase of this beautiful artwork possible.
    All the best to you, I hope your business prospers and thrives.
    Should we consider another purchase in the coming years we will look you up,
    and you will be highly recommended to anyone else we know who is interested in Aboriginal art.
    Nyree, VIC

    I received Deanne Peters's work today in the post.  
    This is the first ever piece of art that I have bought let alone through the Internet.  
    I love it.  I appreciated the opportunity to buy a piece that I work afford within my
    budget and I think it is a great idea to produce smaller pieces.  
    Now I just have to start saving for another.    
    Amanda, Ireland

    Thanks so much. Ms Peter's work is absolutely beautiful.
    I must stop looking at the website.
    I'll run out of wall space!  
    Louise, ACT

    Thanks so much for your e-mail, I am really looking forward to receiving my
    paintings, and will let you know when they arrive.
    Thanks so much for the kind friendly manner in which you have been with me,
    I appreciate that.  
    Karen, UK

    Thank you so much.  I’m looking forward to receive Helen’s Water Dreaming.
    I like the drawing and the colours a lot.  Christopher Churchill’s Desert Nights is my favourite picture.
    Often I pass by, have a look at it and smile. It is a very special picture for me.
    Ursula, Switzerland

    Just wanted to let you know I received my lovely painting.  
    Please pass on my thanks to Jeannie.
    It's absolutely beautiful!  
    Lindy, VIC

    Paintings arrived on Wednesday and they are great!
    Thanks for your help.  
    Nathan, Canada

    The two Alan Griffiths paintings arrived safely today.  
    So well packed. Thank you for dispatching them so punctually.  
    We are thrilled with them and currently debating wall alternatives.   
    Axel, NSW

    My picture arrived this morning!!
    It is quite wonderful.
    Thank you so much for sending it.
    Missing your red earth and sun.  
    Jill, UK

    This is to let you know that the two
    paintings by Churchill Cann and
    Charlene Carrington arrived home safely
    and in good condition.
    They look beautiful on our walls.
    Should you happen to see Churchill and
    Charlene we would be very grateful if
    you would thank them and let them know
    how much we admire and respect their work.   
    Bill and Margo, ACT

    The artworks have arrived.
    All pieces are just beautiful.
    Thank you very much.   
    Meg, UK

    We recently purchased “Wild
    Passionfruit and Tomato” by Margaret
    Davis Kemarre during our visit to
    your gallery in Kununurra. It was
    delivered to our home in Sydney
    last week. We just wanted to let you
    know it had arrived safely and that
    we are very happy with our purchase.  
    Thank you for your assistance.  
    Philip and Elizabeth, NSW

    Just wanted to let you know that I've
    received my art piece.I'm thrilled.  
    I appreciate the photo of Cindy & bio.  
    It makes it much more personal....
    It's like I've met Cindy.  
    Give her my thanks and her willingness
    to share her talent and vision.    
    Walt, USA

    I've been meaning to send you a note to say thank you and we're very happy.
    The painting arrived quickly and it's up on the wall and looks great.   
    Cathy, NSW

    Just to let you know the artwork was well received today,
    and I am very pleased with it.  
    Thanks again for your excellent service. 
    Lene, Denmark

    The most beautiful Kudditji painting has arrived this morning, it is so magnificent.
    It took my breath away!! Thank you very much.
    Karen, NSW

    I received my beautiful Bush Leaves canvas by Jeannie Petyarre last week.
    I bought it on a very rushed visit to Kununurra enroute from Warmun to Darwin.
    The minute I saw it I knew it was what I had been looking for.
    It is at the framers now for stretching onto a frame. I can not wait to hang it in my home.
    Thank you so much for getting it to me in such good condition.
    I'm so glad I popped into your gallery for what I said would be a "quick walk through.
    Luckily my friend in Warmun had said "make sure you go to Artlandish".
    Having had the opportunity to spend time in an indigenous community
    I feel blessed to have such a beautiful artwork.
    Please place me on your mailing list.
    Best wishes
    Sue

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Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery: 10 Papuana St Kununurra 6743, Western Australia, Australia Tel: +61 8 91681 881, Mobile: 041 77 222 11, Fax: +61 8 91681 881 Email: info@aboriginalartshop.com Web: www.aboriginalartshop.com ©

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