Questions

__ OUTLINE RITUALS INVOLVED WITHIN THE ABORIGINAL CULTURE __
=== __ Initiation Ceremony __- This specific ceremony represents the transition from childhood to adulthood, it involves specific instructions in which the ceremony has to be carried out. The ritual includes cultural knowledge, rules and laws. === === For males the initiation ceremony usually involves operations of the body such as circumcision, tooth avulsion, tying of arm ligatures and cicatrisation. Other initiation rites include the marking and painting of the body in a special way with ochres, and the practice of blood letting in the case of some groups. The blood is often used for sacramental purposes. The physical testing of the initiate was also used to strengthen the person’s physical capabilities, which were considered essential for survival. ===

__ Funeral Ceremonies __
=== Another important ceremony is celebrated when a death occurs, during this time the family and friends of the deceased paint themselves white, cut their own bodies to show remorse and conduct a series of rituals, songs and dances to ensure that the person’s spirit leaves the area and returns to its birthplace, where it can later be reborn. ===

__ OUTLINE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF A TOTEM __
=== Either before or after birth individuals were presented with a Totem which would stay significant to that specific person for the remainder of their living life. The totem defined the rights and duties of the individual and their relationship with others. An individual’s totem determined the role they might perform with the environment and special responsibilities they may have to ensure the protection and survival of the land. === === A totem identifies one’s kinship line or provides the individual with a direct link with sacred tribal matters. The totem also places individuals into particular groups and created relationship structure, due to this one’s totem was also carefully guarded. ===