Aborigines of Australia: history, life and customs of the indigenous population. Aborigines of Australia: interesting facts

Australian Aboriginals

Current distribution area and numbers
Australian Aboriginals
David Unaipon, Noel Pearson, Ernie Dingo, David Gulpilil, Jessica Mauboy, Cathy Freeman

Religion
Racial type
Related peoples

Aboriginal handicrafts

The population is 437 thousand (2001, census), including 26.9 thousand people. in the Torres Strait Islands. Torres Strait Islander Aboriginal people are culturally distinct from other Aboriginal people in Australia, sharing many similarities with Melanesians and Papuans.

Nowadays, most Aboriginal people rely on government and other charity. Traditional methods livelihoods (hunting, fishing and gathering, and among some of the Torres Strait Islanders - manual farming) have been almost completely lost.

Before the arrival of Europeans

The settlement of Australia occurred from 70-50 to 30 thousand years ago. The ancestors of Australians came from South-East Asia(mainly along the Pleistocene continental shelf, but also overcoming at least 90 km of water barriers). The additional influx of settlers who arrived by sea about 5 thousand years ago is probably associated with the appearance of the dingo dog and a new stone industry on the continent. Before the beginning European colonization The culture and racial type of Australians have undergone significant evolution.

Colonial period

By the time Europeans arrived (XVIII century), the number of aborigines was about 2 million, united in more than 500 tribes that had a complex social organization, various myths and rituals and spoke more than 200 languages.

Colonization, accompanied by the targeted extermination of Australians, land dispossession and displacement into environmentally unfavorable areas, and epidemics, led to a sharp decrease in their numbers - to 60 thousand in 1921. However, government policy of protectionism (with late XIX century), including the creation of government-protected reservations, as well as material and health care(especially after the 2nd World War) contributed to the increase in the number of Australians.

By the mid-1990s, the Aboriginal population reached approximately 257 thousand people, representing 1.5% of the total population of Australia.

Astronomical and cosmological concepts in Aboriginal mythology

Australian Aborigines believed that there was not only our physical reality, but also another reality inhabited by the spirits of our ancestors. Our world and this reality intersect and mutually influence each other

One of the places where the world of “dreams” and real world, is the sky: the actions of ancestors are manifested in the appearance and movement of the Sun, Moon, planets and stars, however, the actions of people can also affect what is happening in the sky.

Despite the fact that the Aborigines have certain knowledge about the sky and objects in it, as well as individual attempts to use celestial objects for calendar purposes, there is no information that any of the Aborigine tribes used a calendar associated with the phases of the moon; Celestial objects were not used for navigation either.

Current situation

Currently, the growth rate of the Aboriginal population (due to the high birth rate) significantly exceeds the Australian average, although the standard of living is significantly lower than the Australian average. In 1967, the civil rights previously granted to Aboriginal people were enshrined in law. Since the late 1960s. a movement is developing for the revival of cultural identity, for the acquisition legal rights on traditional lands. Many states have enacted laws that provide for the collective ownership of reserve lands by Australians under self-government conditions, and also protect them cultural heritage.

Famous representatives of the Australian Aborigines are the artist, writer David Unaipon, footballer David Wirrpanda, TV presenter Ernie Dingo, actor and storyteller David Galpilil (Gulpilil), singer Jessica Mauboy (of mixed Australian-Timorese descent).

Since 2007, it has existed in Australia, operating along with other broadcasts for the national communities of the country SBS (broadcasts in 68 languages, including Russian). These programs, which began as domestic broadcasts, are now available throughout the world with the development of the Internet. Although National Aboriginal Television of Australia operates English language Due to the underdevelopment of indigenous dialects, it provides an opportunity for domestic and international audiences to learn indigenous languages through televised lessons launched since 2010.

Aboriginal culture in film

- “The Last Wave”, a film by famous Australian director Peter Weir
- “Rabbit Cage” (eng. Rabbit-proof fence), talks about attempts to “re-educate” Australian Aboriginal children.
- “Ten Boats”, from the life of the Australian aborigines, which enjoyed success in the world film distribution and was even awarded a special prize at the Cannes Film Festival. All the actors in the film were Aboriginal and spoke their native language, Yolngu Matha.

Notes

Literature

Artyomova O. Yu. Personality and social norms in an early primitive community according to Australian ethnographic data. M., 1987
Artyomova O. Yu. Past and present of indigenous Australians // Races and Peoples, vol. 10. M., 1980
Berndt R.M., Berndt K.H. The World of the First Australians, trans. from English M., 1981
Cabo V.R. Origin and early history Australia. M., 1969
Lockwood D. I am an Aborigine, trans. from English M., 1969
McConnell W. Myths of Munkan, trans. from English M., 1981
Rose F. Aborigines of Australia, trans. with him. M., 1981
Elkin A.P. Indigenous Peoples of Australia, trans. from English M., 1952
The Cambridge Encyclopeadia of Hunters and Gatherers. Cambridge, 1999 (I.VII, Australia, p.317-371)
The Encyclopaedia of Aboriginal Australia. Vol.I-II. Canberra, 1994

Links

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// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: In 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional ones). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.

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See what “Australian Aborigines” are in other dictionaries:

Indigenous people of a particular area or country (for example, Australian Aborigines in Australia, Maori in New Zealand). According to ancient Roman legends, this was the name ancient tribe, who lived at the foot of the Apennine mountains... Historical Dictionary

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Indigenous peoples, aborigines, autochthons, aborigines, the original population of a territory that has preserved traditional life support systems, special forms economic activity, for example, hunting (land, sea), cattle breeding (nomadic cattle breeding... ... Wikipedia

The Aborigines, the wild tribes that once inhabited Australia, are the original inhabitants of this continent. Now they make up only 1% of the total population. Australian aborigines inhabited the young continent 40-64 thousand years ago. Scientists believe that they arrived here from Asia. Before colonization, the Aboriginal peoples of Australia lived by gathering, fishing and hunting. These wild tribes did not know weaving, pottery, or metal working.

But they created a very deep and interesting system mythology and related art. The works of art of the Aboriginal Australians mainly include household utensils and religious objects.

The wild tribes of Australia, its indigenous inhabitants, in our time received part of the territories as property. Tourists are prohibited from entering some areas. In their tribes they lead an ancient primitive way of life, like their ancestors for many centuries in a row.

Modern Australian Aborigines.

“Dreamtime” in the mythology of the Australian aborigines is the basis of all their traditional beliefs and worldviews. “The time of dreams” for them is the era when everything that was created appeared. The time when the earth appeared, all living beings, rain, wind, rivers... Australian aborigines believe that in the spiritual aspect, as a continuation of life experience (transmigration of souls), and also referring to the special, innate feeling of unity with the earth, “Dreamtime "continues today. Therefore, the expulsion of the aborigines from the land of their ancestors for them is tantamount to expulsion from the “Dream Time”, deprivation of the sacred connection with their ancestors, roots and faith in life. Equated to spiritual death. It is no secret that magical rituals are common among many nations.

The most popular among travelers are tours to the giant monolithic rock. The aborigines of Australia call it Uluru, the white population - Ayers Rock. The Aboriginal name means a place that provides shade or a meeting place. At sunset, Uluru turns bright orange. Its outlines resemble spaceship aliens. The height of Uluru reaches 350 meters, the length is up to 3 meters, and the width is just over 1.5 meters. It must be said that representatives of the Australian aborigines understand the fact that annoying tourists, for some reason, are not only interested in their sacred rock, but they also strive to climb it. Recently, a Cultural Center was even opened at the foot of Uluru and a route was built that goes around the rock.

Another popular tour among visiting tourists is the small town of Alice Springs in the MacDonnell Mountains. Tourists who come here in September witness a very unusual regatta - Henley-on-Todd. Competitions take place between rowers on boats that have no bottom. Watching the regatta participants rushing to the finish line in bottomless boats along a dry riverbed, you begin to look at many things in this amazing country in a new way and cease to be surprised at many things.

Modern Aborigines, short video for 5 minutes:

An interesting film about the life of the aborigines: “Tracks of the Hunter The hunter's path." It turns out that there are still aborigines who keep their traditions. I recommend watching it. In short, a white man and part-time award-winning filmmaker Larry Gray embarks on a perilous journey through Australia's Northern Territory. He travels barefoot and armed only with a spear. And most importantly, he learns to survive in wildlife from his friend, Aboriginal and hunter Peter Daetzing.

Another film about the culture and traditions of the indigenous population of Australia: “ABORIGINAL DREAM TIME.” From the series Mysteries of Antiquity. (Ancient Mysteries. Aboriginal Dreamtime)

Survive at any cost. Kimberley - Australia. There are no Aboriginal people in this film, but there are plenty of traces of them. From this film you can understand what harsh conditions the aborigines had to survive.

And to finish, a few more old black and white photographs.

According to anthropological data, the aborigines of Australia are a type of Australoid large race. In appearance they are average or tall, with dark hair, thick and curly. They have thick lips and wide noses, medium-sized eyes. A feature of this race can be considered a protruding eyebrow. Until the 18th century, 1.2 million Aboriginal people lived in Australia. Scientists believed that they arrived on the mainland from Asia. It was also invaded by Europeans in the late 18th century, bringing colonization and disease with them. I was not ready for these processes indigenous people and many Aborigines died. Before colonization, they were engaged in hunting and fishing, and gathering fruits. Crafts such as pottery and weaving, and metal processing were not known to them.

Aboriginal language of Australia

Australia is developed country. In our time, Aboriginal people live on its territory, whose way of life remains unchanged. They do not know how to produce, do not use the achievements of civilization and even the calendar. Their culture is original. It has nothing in common with the population from other countries of the world. This is explained by the fact that Australia has lived in an isolated space for a long time. Each of the local tribes has its own language, and it is not similar to Asian dialects. Writing is developed among several tribes, and there are approximately 200 dialects of the language. For a long period of time, the indigenous population of the mainland lived on reservations. These were the most deserted areas where outsiders were not allowed. The population of reservations did not participate in the census.

At the end of the 19th century, the State of Victoria passed the Aboriginal Protection Act. This document was a set of legal norms regulating the lives of the indigenous population. And a century later, as a result of a referendum held in this country, the indigenous people of Australia were officially recognized as citizens of the state and received the right to free movement within the country. For many years, the Aborigines sought equal rights with the white population. Many of them moved to live in large cities. The country has launched programs to increase the birth rate and preserve the cultural heritage of the Aboriginal people. In 2007, they launched a television channel for the indigenous population of Australia. It is broadcast in English, since it is difficult to use 200 dialects at once.

Aboriginal life in Australia

In modern times, Aboriginal people are involved in tourism. For travelers who come to Australia and have a desire to visit its beauty, excursions to the reservation are organized. Tourists are shown the life and way of life of the indigenous population. It is different from our world. Australian Aborigines are the best guides. For travelers, performances are created with dance and song accompaniment, in addition, with the staging of rituals that are considered ritual by the indigenous population of Australia. Sales are very developed in Australia souvenir products, hunting objects and woven clothing. Interestingly, about ten thousand people inhabiting Australia are still at the Stone Age level. But it is only thanks to them that the pristine culture of Australia is preserved.

Cultural heritage

Paintings
Art and design lovers are familiar with the canvases painted in the original ethnic technique, which is unique to the indigenous population. Each of the artists describes a different life in his painting. They call it spiritual reality or another life. It's different from modern society and reflects a spiritual connection with the world of the deities. The aborigines still call them the sun and the moon, as well as many animals.
Music
Australian Aborigines are masters of making musical instruments. One of them is the didgeridoo instrument, which is a pipe with a length of 1 to 2 meters. Made from the trunk of a eucalyptus tree, eaten away by termites in the central part. Not everyone can play this instrument, as it requires practice, as well as good respiratory system. As for the natives, they can easily play this trumpet for several hours in a row. As they play, they spice up the music with guttural sounds they make and, for added effect, imitating the sounds of animals and birds.
Dancing
In their dances, the aborigines imitate the movements of the animals that inhabit the continent. These are kangaroos or snakes, wallabies. During the dance, they skillfully imitate their movements. Many of the dances are similar, they have musical accompaniment playing drumsticks and didgeridoo. But not all dances are entertaining: some of them have a brightly ritualistic overtones.
Boomerang
It was invented as a weapon by the indigenous population of Australia! Means in their language "returning stick for throwing." Boomerangs were used by them for hunting, but also sometimes in local conflicts with other tribes. To return the boomerang to the owner's hands, you must have certain skills: throw it at an angle of certain indicators and hold it correctly, release it in time, taking into account the direction of the wind. A skillfully made boomerang should have cuts at the ends. He simply doesn’t come back without them. In addition, the Australian aborigines use throwing spears, and they throw them at a distance of up to 100 meters, masterfully hitting a target the size of coconut. The shields made by the indigenous people are narrow and are used for dances and ceremonies. Although they can be used as a defensive weapon.
Geography of settlements
Where do the Aboriginal people of Australia live today? The largest group is in Queensland. In addition, Aboriginal people can be seen in the area Western Australia and in New South Wales. There are few of them in Victoria. But the indigenous population, religiously observing their traditions and customs, is trying to escape civilization. For the most part, they act this way. Therefore, it is not surprising that they are concentrated in the desert regions of Australia and the Cape York Peninsula. These places are difficult to reach for an unprepared person.

The Australian Aborigines are considered to be perhaps the oldest living civilization on Earth. And at the same time, one of the most little-studied and understood. Arriving in "Australia" (then called " New Holland") in 1788, English colonists called its indigenous inhabitants "aboriginals", borrowing this term from the Latin: "ab origine" - "from the beginning".

It has not yet been established exactly, and it is unlikely that it will ever be established exactly, exactly when and how the ancestors of modern aborigines got to this continent. But it is generally accepted that the indigenous people of Australia came here across the sea approximately 50,000 years ago from what is now Indonesia.

Before the arrival of Europeans in Australia, the Aborigines lived throughout Australia and numbered about 250 peoples with own languages(which do not belong to any other language group), most of which are now "extinct". The Aborigines led a primitive lifestyle (picked fruits, hunted birds and animals, fished, burned fires and lived in forests, deserts, savannas) for thousands of years until recently. At the same time, it cannot be said unequivocally that the Australian aborigines were primitive people, since they had a kind of religion (beliefs, mythology of the “Dream Time”, ceremonies, traditions, initiations) and maintained their own cultural heritage (Aboriginal music, dances, rock paintings, petroglyphs). The Australian aborigines had certain concepts about astronomy, although the interpretation and names of stars and constellations did not at all coincide with European astronomy.

The most striking thing, perhaps, is how far the “progress” of aboriginal civilization lagged behind the European one, being located at a considerable distance from Europe and in special climatic conditions. This difference dates back perhaps tens of thousands of years. Some tribes maintained this way of life until the early 20th century on the remote islands of northern Australia, continuing to live in solitude with nature.

With the arrival of Europeans, the life and future of the Aboriginal people of Australia changed radically and irrevocably. Begins in 1788 black line in the history of the original inhabitants of Australia. Most of the indigenous people of Australia initially greeted the newcomers from Europe peacefully and with interest, although some tribes greeted the colonists with hostility. During the first 2-3 years, about half (and in some cases more) of all Australian Aborigines who had contact with European newcomers died out from diseases and viruses unknown to them (introduced by Europeans), from which the indigenous people of Australia had no immunity. The most common diseases that killed the Aborigines were smallpox and measles.

In addition, the colonists killed the Aborigines, drove them from their ancestral lands, abused them, raped their women, poisoned them, forcibly resettled them, and forcibly took away their children. Public policy the forcible removal of children from Aboriginal families under the title “Assimilation of Aboriginal Australians” continued until 1970 (and in some places longer). These Aboriginal children, deprived own parents, now called the "Stolen Generation". For much of the 20th century, Aboriginal Australians didn't even have citizenship until 1967.

Nowadays the situation has begun to change better side. Since 1998, 26 May in Australia has been celebrated as "Day of Regret" (or "Day of Asking Forgiveness") to the Australian Aborigines for all that they have had to endure and endure since January 26, 1788, when the English captain Arthur Philip founded the first British colony in Australia. For a long time The Australian government has refused to make a public apology to Aboriginal people for the injustices, genocide and deliberate policies to eradicate the Aboriginal race that were carried out during the 19th and 20th centuries. However, on 13 February 2008, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made his first public apology to all Aboriginal Australians on behalf of the Australian Parliament. This was an important step in the "reconciliation" of the Aborigines with the rest of the Australian population. Although this apology was made in English and not translated into any of the Aboriginal languages, which a priori can be considered an injustice and humiliation of the Aboriginal people. Now the aborigines do not like to remember and talk about the topic of the “Stolen Generation”, which is “sick” for them.

Today, Aboriginal people live throughout Australia, although they are rarely seen in large cities. Most Aboriginal people now speak English and live in central and northern territories Australia. Alcohol and drug abuse is common among Aboriginal people, they have higher mortality and crime rates and very high unemployment rates, which again is partly “stimulated” by the state.

At the same time, among the aborigines of Australia there are prominent figures: famous athletes, talented musicians, scientists, businessmen and politicians. Unfortunately, there are few of them. Usually the aborigines themselves prefer not to be called “aboriginals”, since they all belong to different nationalities (tribes) and do not like to be generalized by this term.

Where to see Aboriginal people in Australia? How to see Australian Aborigines? Where do Aboriginal people live in Australia?

Most Aboriginal Australians today live in the eastern and northern territories of Australia (New South Wales and Queensland), although they can be found in almost any city. The estimated number of Aboriginal people is about 520,000 people, i.e. 2.5% of Australia's population. Almost every city in Australia has an “Aboriginal culture center” where you can come into contact with this culture, and sometimes even meet an Aboriginal person.

In order not just to “look” at the Aborigines, but to learn more about them, understand them, and at least get a little acquainted with their culture, knowledge and history, I suggest you come to Australia and visit one (or perhaps more than one) of our individual excursions.

On our excursions, a Russian-speaking guide will tell you in detail about the past and present life of the Aborigines in Australia, about their mythology and knowledge, about their problems and culture. We know different places where we can show you real Australian Aborigines. On some of our excursions you will be able to see Aboriginal dances, hear music performed by Aboriginal people on traditional Aboriginal instruments (see Digiridoo), watch them throw boomerangs and spears while hunting, and just chat with real Australian Aboriginal people. Our Russian guides in Australia also know places where you can see authentic ancient Aboriginal rock paintings and petroglyphs (from 2000 to 20,000 years old), grindstones and firestones (not in a museum!), Aboriginal caves and ceremonial sites used by Aboriginal people for thousands of years.

You can see all this with your own eyes with me or our Russian-speaking guides in Australia and learn more about the aborigines of Australia.

Our excursions in Australia, where you can see real Aborigines, talk to them or see traces of their life (drawings, footprints, petroglyphs, Aboriginal places, caves):

Sydney:

Excursion with a Russian guide to the North from Sydney to the Cooring Chase National Park - S5
Sightseeing tour of Sydney with a private Russian guide in an individual car - S2 (full day)
Blue Mountains and Australian Animal Park - tour with Russian guide - S4
Travel to the capital of Australia - Canberra - tour with a Russian guide - S9

Melbourne:

Full-day sightseeing tour with a Russian guide to the sights of Melbourne - M2
Tour package of excursions from Melbourne with a Russian-speaking guide for 4 days -TPM4-5-8-2012

Cairns:

Excursion to Kuranda by cable car with a Russian-speaking guide - CR07
Full day excursion from Cairns with a Russian guide to Australian wildlife and the tropical Tablelands - 10 hours - CR08
Multi-day Tour Package 3 days/2 nights with excursions and accommodation from Cairns with Russian speaking guide - TPCR01

Australian Aboriginal culture

Music

From time immemorial, Australian Aborigines have been able to make musical instruments. The most famous of them is the Digiridu - a pipe 1 to 2 meters long from a branch or trunk of a eucalyptus tree, eaten through the center by termites. It is very difficult to learn to play it: it requires a lot of practice and you need strong lungs. Good Aboriginal Digiridoo players can play it continuously for an hour (without stopping or pausing). When playing the Digirudu, the performer often diversifies the playing with guttural sounds or tongue to give an additional effect and imitates the sounds of animals and birds, because kookaburra (laughing kookaburra).

Dancing

Aborigines often imitate various indigenous animals of Australia in their dances, because... kangaroo, wallaby, emu, snake, imitating their gait and movements.

Many dances are similar to each other and are accompanied by playing the digiridoo and percussion sticks. Some dances are used by Aboriginal people only for certain purposes or times of the year, and there are ritual dances.

Aboriginal rock art and petroglyphs

There are approximately 50,000 sites throughout Australia where traces of Aboriginal art have been found (rock paintings or petroglyphs carved into stone, or hand and fingerprints made using ocher - dried ground clay with sandstone). However, in order to avoid vandalism, most of these places are kept secret and are not accessible to non-specialists. There are some places where you can still see Aboriginal rock art.

In order to see these drawings or petroglyphs and get acquainted with Aboriginal culture, we invite you to our Russian-language excursions with Russian guides in Australia. We know these places and are ready to show them to you on our excursions in Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns.

Boomerangs, shields and spears

Australian Aborigines invented unique look weapon - boomerang. The word boomerang comes from the Aboriginal word "Womurrang" or "Bowmarrang", which means "returning throwing stick" in the Aboriginal language of the Turuwal tribe. Boomerangs were mainly used for hunting birds, but were also used as weapons in conflicts with other tribes or for hunting large animals. In order for the boomerang to return, you must have skills: be able to throw it at a certain angle, hold it correctly, release it in time and take into account the wind. Also, a proper boomerang should have some cuts on its limbs, without which it will not be able to return.

The Aborigines also used a variety of throwing spears for hunting and conflict, and some can throw spears up to 100 meters to accurately hit a target the size of a coconut.

Shields were mostly narrow and were used for ceremonial purposes and dances, but could also be used to protect against attacks from other tribes.

If you want to see how to throw a boomerang or spear correctly, try to throw a boomerang yourself and get to know the Aboriginal culture better, we invite you to our Russian-language excursions with Russian guides in Sydney, Melbourne and Cairns.

Is in the world amazing country, which is entirely located on one continent - this is the mysterious and so distant Australia. Many people are interested in when the first people appeared there and what nationalities live there today? The population of Australia is very heterogeneous, and representatives of different nationalities from all continents of the Earth live there in peace and harmony.

The East is the most favorable place

The population of Australia, by modern standards, is very small. As the last census, which was conducted three years ago, showed, 23 million 100 thousand people live on this hot continent today. In fact, this is a little more than in one and only Moscow.

At the same time, people were distributed unevenly across the continent. After all, the climate in this area is very harsh. More than half of all lands are occupied by scorching deserts and semi-deserts, where it is almost impossible to live. In these places, Australia's population density is extremely low - only one person per square kilometer.

And here East Coast The continent is very favorable for human habitation - the climate there is milder and more even. Australia's population density there is already ten times higher. There are ten people per square kilometer.

Megacities

Despite the small population of Australia, this country also has million-plus cities. This is Sydney, where over three and a half million people live, Melbourne - three million and Brisbane - one and a half million.

The rest of the people live in small towns and rural settlements. The bulk of Australia's population lives in megacities. There are only 10 percent of rural residents here. However, farming in this country is very developed. Products Agriculture Australia not only fully provides itself, but also exports.

Local Aboriginals

The indigenous people of Australia are the Aborigines, who still live somewhat isolated in the north-west of the mainland. It is interesting that Aboriginal tribes live in the 21st century according to the laws of the Stone Age. Their children don't get an education, people don't know what it is modern calendar What are the days of the week and months called? They do not use metal and iron objects in their everyday life. According to scientists, the indigenous population of this country is perhaps the most ancient on our planet.

Aboriginal tribes live separately. Representatives of each tribe have their own dialect and clear rules way of life. They preserve their traditions, which go back centuries. Only in 1967 were the indigenous people given equal rights to the alien white population of Australia. But many tribes prefer to remain on reservations, which are not very suitable for a full-fledged human life.

It is interesting that before the arrival of white people to the mainland, the indigenous population did not know what cattle breeding was. After all, all livestock - sheep, cows, bulls - were imported from other countries. Before this, the aborigines knew only one large mammal- a kangaroo, which is a symbol of this distant country. The aborigines did not engage in farming due to the harsh climate. They lived mainly by hunting and fishing.

Inevitable assimilation

The country's authorities take great care to ensure that the culture and traditions of the Aboriginal people are preserved. However, assimilation inevitably occurs. After all, Aboriginal people are not obliged to live in places that were strictly assigned to them before 1967. Many have exchanged their nomadic lifestyle for an urban one and are very happy with it. Due to the fact that living conditions had improved significantly, there was a surge in birth rates among the indigenous population.

The aborigines began to gradually join modern life. In 2007, the country's authorities even created a special television channel for indigenous peoples. True, it broadcasts in English. Because it is impossible to broadcast for all tribes, there are too many dialects and dialects.

Currently, the number of indigenous people in Australia is small - only 10 thousand people. But they really love to demonstrate their traditions, their way of life, their way of life. Many tribes willingly host numerous tourists. They show their ritual rites, demonstrate dances, perform sacrificial dances.

Instead of prison - link

Australia is often called a prison paradise. This unflattering definition has its own historical justification. IN XIX-XX centuries British prisoners were incredibly lucky - many of them had their prison sentences commuted to exile to the most distant continent on the planet. The very first settlement of this territory was forced. And it was thieves, murderers, swindlers and embezzlers of Greater Britain who began to develop these uninhabited lands. Gradually, sheep farming began to develop here, which began to generate profit. Life conditions people improved year after year. And then Australia became a tempting country for many poor people in Great Britain. They were sure that on the hot mainland they would be able to live richer and more satisfying. And already in 1820 the first volunteers went to Australia.

Gold lured thousands of emigrants

And then a sensation occurred - gold deposits were discovered on the mainland, and people began to move there en masse in search of wealth. Within 10 years, Australia's population increased to one million people.

The Germans also appeared here. The first emigrants from Germany were participants in the 1848 revolution. They were persecuted at home, but here they could live in peace.

Already in the middle of the 20th century, the composition of the population of Australia was very heterogeneous, and the number of people living on the mainland increased 6 times. Today the British, Germans, Irish, New Zealanders, Greeks, Chinese, Dutch, Italians, and Vietnamese live here.

They're still going

Residents of the entire planet have known since the century before last that they were expected in distant Australia and that life there would be good. It is interesting that emigration to this sultry but very hospitable country continues to this day. According to statistics, Australia today is the leader in receiving emigrants. More than 150 thousand people annually change their place of residence to permanent residence on the Green Continent. They have every chance of quickly getting a job and joining such a heterogeneous Australian society that in a few generations their grandchildren will say: “I am Australian!”