Indigenous Australians lived as nomadic hunter-gatherers in small local groups of around 30 people. They hunted animals like kangaroos and birds, and gathered plants like roots and ants. Their clothing was made from animal skins and leaves. They lived in temporary shelters and followed oral traditions that saw ancestral spirits inhabiting nature. They used weapons like spears and clubs for hunting and ceremonies. Art included naturalistic paintings using ochre pigments. Music involved instruments like didgeridoos and clapping sticks. They believed in living in harmony with nature.

1. INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

2. occupation
Wandering
hunters
Gatherers
fishermen

3. Society
Society
Divided into local groups
30 people in each group
Divided into classes and
section
Each group is led by
elders who follow strict
rules and regulations

4. Food
Kangaroos,
reptiles rabbits,
birds, white ants
possums etc.

5. Dress
• Clothing: Animal Skin, leaves, Shells
• Shelter: Nomadic life – Hence caves and open grounds or temporary huts
built with bark of trees, branches and twig

6. WEAPONS
SPEARS
CLUBS
SHIELDS
DAGGERS

8. Generally used for
killing of kangaroos
Also used as clap sticks
during ceremonies

9. Art
NATURALISTIC
PAINTINGS OF
HUMANS, PLANTS AND
ANIMALS
PAINTS WERE DONE
USING EARTH
COLOURS MADE FROM
OCHRE

10. music
• Rich Music and Dance traditions
• Didgeridoo, clapping stick

11. RELIGION
• STORY TELLING TRADITION
• BELIEVES THAT ANCESTRAL SPIRITS TAKE FORM OF TREES,
STARS, WATERING HOLES, ROCKS ETC. Hence worship nature and
live in perfect harmony with it.

12. Presently…..
• 1962 – Indigenous Australians got the voting rights
• 1967 – Equal rights like any other citizen
• 1993 – Land Rights giving Autonomy; recognize ownership of property by
Indigenous Australians
• Permanent reserves set up to allow them to live their traditional way
• Many now is part of mainstream society but many others poor, illiterate and has
health problems