Sacred song, dance convey aborigines’ culture
By Daily Bruin Staff
May 2, 1995 9:00 p.m.
Sacred song, dance convey aborigines’ culture
By Lisa Marie Weyh
In Western society, dreams often become subjects in a
psychiatrist’s office.
In aboriginal culture, dreams set traditions.
These dreams lead to the integration of culture, religion and
the arts in the form of song and dance  a way of life for
aborigines.
"Dancers of the Dreaming," a group of aboriginal clansmen, will
present a unique performance of sacred song and dance at the
Veteran Wadsworth Theater.
The 25 tribesmen, carefully selected from three linguistically
different areas to represent Australia’s Northern and Central
Desert, will present the ceremonial dances that are integral parts
of their daily lives.
"Clan leaders feel that it is important for non-aborigine people
to be aware of the traditional culture that is held strongly by our
people," says Lance Bennet, spokesman for the Aboriginal Cultural
Foundation.
"There is a greater ignorance about surrounding cultures today
than there was about 15 years ago, this is why we are here sharing
our ceremonies with you."
As a member of the Aboriginal Culture Foundation, Bennet is one
of the many who helps maintain and rescue traditional aboriginal
song and dance. Under the authority of local clan leaders, the
foundation aids in putting together performances understandable for
the Western audience.
Although each tribe has its own language, the tribesmen are
multi-lingual, enabling them to speak with other tribespeople. Even
with this interaction, however, distinction is absolutely
essential.
"There is a very keen sense of ownership among aborigines," says
Bennet. "No tribe would ever dream of doing a song and dance from
another tribe."
Aborigines say these sacred dances are not choreographed by the
tribe members nor the clan leaders, but passed on from ancestors
through a clan leader’s dreams.
"Dream time is so special for the aborigine," says Donald
Bonindjirri, dancer and songman from the Arnhem Land tribe. "That
is when the dances are shown to the clan leaders, when they wake
up, they teach the tribe what they saw.
"We dance about different things, we dance about the land,
sometimes we dance about death."
These dances, whatever their subject, communicate elements of
aboriginal culture in a way far different from words.
"It is important for the Western society to understand that
‘Dancers of the Dreaming’ is not a professional company in the
sense of the word," says Bennet. "You have to remember that they
are sharing their culture with another culture."
"Being an aborigine means you have your full identity," says
Bonindjirri. "I know who I am, where I am from, and I know how to
look after my culture and most importantly  my life."
DANCE: "Dancers of the Dreaming." Performance is at the Veteran
Wadsworth Theater tonight at 8. TIX: $25 general and $9 students
with ID. For info call: (310)825-2101.
