Australian History: Aboriginal Culture
Australian Aboriginal culture is one of the oldest and longest surviving cultures, that has dated back to at least 40,000 years. Some say it may date back as far as 65,000 years ago.
Language
There has existed over 250 Aboriginal languages in Australia with many dialects spoken. It is a very diverse language! Recently a map showing the geographical region of each different language within Australia was created by David Horton and is based on language data gathered by Aboriginal Studies Press, AIATSIS and Auslig/Sinclair, Knight, Merz, (1996).
Below is a list of some of the Aboriginal languages:
| Aboriginal English | Jagera/Yuragubul | Narrungga | Warlpiri |
| Anjumarla | Jaru | Ndjébbana | Wangkatha |
| Arabana | Jingulu | Ngadjon | Wardaman |
| Arrernte | Jiwarli | Ngalakan | Warlmanpa |
| Awabakal | Kala Lagaw Ya | Ngarrindjeri | Warrungu |
| Ayapathu | Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay | Noongar | Warumungu |
| Bardi | Kaurna | Ngiyampaa | Wemba |
| Bunganditj | Kayardild | Nhirrpi | Wiradjuri |
| Bunuba | Koko-Bera | Nyangumarta | Yaegl |
| Dalabon | Kriol, pidgins | Paakantyi | Yandrruwandha |
| Darug | Kuku Yalanji | Pakanh | Yanyuwa |
| Dyirbal | Kukatja | Palawa Kani | Yindjibarndi |
| Ganai/Kurnai | Kutthung | Pitjantjatjara | Yolngu |
| Garawa | Malyangapa | Pitta Pitta | Yorta Yorta |
| Gooniyandi | Marriammu | Tiwi | Yugambeh |
| Gumbaynggir | Martuthunira | Tjapukai | Yukulta |
| Gunggari | Mawng | Oykangand | Yuwaalaraay |
| Gurindji | Meriam Mir | Wagiman | |
| Guugu Yimithirr | Murrinh-Patha | Wambaya |
Living with the land
The aborigines lives are distinctly related to the land and being one with the environment. The land is not just the physical rocks, trees, and rivers but rather the land is part of the people spiritually and must be used in harmony and sustainably. The land has its own stories of creation. They were semi-nomadic people living in large groups within their own territories, often referred to as ‘traditional lands’. These lands were defined by the surrounding environmental boundaries, such as rivers or mountains.