Gadi Mirrabooka: Australian Aboriginal Tales from the Dreaming

by Pauline E. McLeod, Francis Firebrace Jones, June E. Barker, Helen F. McKay (Editor)

Overview

Take a jourbaney into the fascinating world of Australia's Aboriginal culture with this unique collection of 33 authentic, unaltered stories brought to you by three Aboriginal storyteller custodians! Unlike other compilations of tales that were modified and published without permission from the Aboriginal people, these stories are now presented with approval from Aboriginal elders in an effort to help foster a better understanding of the history and culture of the Aboriginal people. Gadi Mirrabooka, which means below the Southern Cross, introduces wonderful tales from the Dreamtime, the mystical period of Aboriginal beginning. Through these stories you can learn about customs and values, animal psychology, hunting and gathering skills, cultural norms, moral behavior, the spiritual belief system, survival skills, and food resources. A distinctive and absolutely compelling story collection, this book is an immensely valuable treasure for educators, parents, children, and adult readers. Grades K-A

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781563089237
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	11/15/2001
Series:	World Folklore Series
Pages:	164
Product dimensions:	7.20(w) x 10.25(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

PAULINE E. MCLEOD, Francis Firebrace Jones, and June E. Barker, are respected Aboriginal Cultural Educators and Story Custodians.

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HELEN F. MCKAY is a founder and life member of the Australian Storytelling Guild (NSW) and editor of the guild newsletter, as well as the co-author of two other books, About Storytelling and Riotous Riddles.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part 1: Australia and the Aboriginal People
Overview of Australia
Geography: The Land
The Geographic Regions
How Climate Affected the Aborigines
The Megafauna
The Fauna
The Flora
The Aboriginal People
The People and the Land
Walkabout
The Corroboree
Ceremonial Walkabouts
Trade
Transportation
Customs: The Totemic System
The Arts
Aboriginal Art
Storytelling
Music
Other Instruments
Dance
Education
Language
Impact of Europeans on the Language
Recent History
Early Visitors
European Invasion and Colonization
Story of a Removed Child
Reconciliation
Part 2: The Tales
1. Mirrabooka: A Story About the Southern Cross
2. The Beginning Island: A Creation Story from the First Time, When Tasmania Was Born
3. Lumerai, the Mother Snake: A Rainbow Serpent Creation Story from the Northern Territory
4. The Murray Cod: A Creation Map Story from the Murray River Basin on the Border of New South Wales and Victoria
5. Boomerang: Alinga, the Lizard Man: A Story from Uluru (Ayers Rock) in the Northern Territory
6. The Birth of the Butterflies: A Story of When Death First Came to the Land, from the Murray River, New South Wales
7. Why the Kookaburra Laughs: A Wiradjuri Creation Story from New South Wales
8. The Whale Man and His Canoe: A Story from the Northern Territory
9. How the Birds Got Their Colors: A Wiradjuri Story from New South Wales
10. First Platypus, Gaygar—The Little Mother Duck: A Creation Story from the Top End of the Darling River Region, Northern New South Wales
11. How the Kangaroo Got Her Pouch: A Wiradjuri Story from New South Wales
12. The Little Flying Fox: A Creation Story from New South Wales North Coast
13. How Koolah the Koala Lost His Tail: A Story from Northwestern New South Wales
14. Pikkuw, the Crocodile: A Story from the Cape York Area of Northern Queensland
15. Goolbree—How the Emu Lost Its Wings: A Story from Northwestern New South Wales
16. The Story of the Didgeridoo: A Story from the Gulf Country of the Northern Territory
17. How the Night Owl Came To Be: A Story from Northwest New South Wales
18. Myee, the Bogong Moth Woman: A Story from the Albury Region of New South Wales
19. Frog and the Lyrebird: A Story from the People of the Blue Mountains
20. The Special Platypus: A Story from New South Wales Central Coast
21. Tidalick: A Story from the Murray River Region of New South Wales
22. Wayambah, the Turtle: A Story from Northwestern New South Wales
23. Brolga, the Dancing Bird: A Story from the Mutti Mutti People of Lake Mungo and the Darling Basin
24. The Bunyip in the Forest: An Original Scary Story from Victoria
25. The Little Koala and the Bunyip: A Story from Queensland
26. The Min Min Light: A Space Story from Northwestern New South Wales
27. Djididjidi and Kuburi: A Story from the Kimberley, a Region of Western Australia
28. Marmoo and Biamee: A Creation Story from New South Wales
29. Belah, the Sun Woman: A Story from the Flinders Ranges of South Australia
30. The Sturt Desert Pea: A Story from Around Lake Eyre in South Australia
31. The Fire Keeper: A Story from the Northern Territory Area
32. The First Waratah: A Love Story from the Illawarra Region of the South Coast of New South Wales
33. Girilambone, Place of Falling Stars: A Story from Northern New South Wales
Glossary
Bibliography
About the Editor and Contributors
Index