The First Australians

Before 1788, Australia was inhabited with millions of Indigenous Australians. The

Aborginial culture, dating back to 40 000 and 60 000 years old, is the most ancient

civilization on Earth. Accross Australia, there were approximately 400 different

Aboriginal tribes, each speaking up to 300 different languages and 600 different

dialects, estimated population reached up to 750 000.

 

Before 1788, Australia was a large natural and indigenous country where people

highly respected the environment around them. The Indigenous Australians made

sure that the animals and plants inhabited in the forest were not overhunted or over

collected. This was because they only took the amount of food that they really needed,

ensuring that the next person wouldn’t go hungry. This was also a way to make sure

that there was no food wasted. The natives took well care of the nature and wildlife

since it provided food and agriculture. Trees were never to be cut down because they 

were considered as sacred objects. The inhabitants worshipped their land and were

very attached to it.

 

Indigenous Australians lived as hunters and gatherers. The men hunted large animals

such as kangaroos, emus and turtles. The women and children searched for smaller

animals and gathered fruits, berries and plants. On the coast, people caught fish and collected shellfish and any other edible sea food. Every part of the animal and plant was eaten (so that there wouldn’t be any left overs), and non-edible goods were used to make things such as clothing, baskets, tools and weapons.

 

The Indigenous people divided their land up (according to the tribes) using geographic boundaries such as the rivers, lakes and mountains. The knowledge was passed down by the elders to the younger people through talking, songs, dance, art and storytelling. The people were really living in a harmonious settlement where everybody looked after each other.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why Wasn't The Settlement Successful?

Even though the British authorities had good intentions towards the Indigenous Australians, they still wanted to take over their land. The British thought the land was not 'owned' by the Indigenous Australians and therefore they had the right to take it. However, on the other hand, Aboriginal people concidered the land to be theirs. They saw the European settlement stedily begin to grow and rob the natives of their hunting grounds.

 

The British had little understanding and little respect for the Aboriginal culture. They concidered their civlilization as greater than the Aboriginal culture and thought that the Aboriginal people were behind and needed help. However, this was not the case. The Indigenous Australians got furious over the 'attention' that they were recieving, and soon the Australians started to fight back.

 

Due to the British had to communicate with numerous clans and each of them speaking a different language, it resulted in misunderstanding to the cluture and customs. Indigenous Australians did not understand the British definition of ownership. At first, the natives shared food and other goods with the British, expecting them to share their food and tools with them. However, this did not go well and the result was numerous conflicts between the different cultures of people.

 

The British also treated the Australians terribily. The Europeans brought with them a disease known as small pox, wiping out the majority of the Indigenous population. Alchohol and weed were also introduced to the Indigenous society, and their lifestyle were completely destroyed. Even if the Aboriginals stood up and fought for their own land, they would be seen as evil creatures who needed to be taught a lesson.

 

Other factors were:

• Settling with too many tribes (as the settlement began to move across the whole of Australia)

• Actions of the settlers (not respecting the Indigenous Australians' customs and culture)

• Having no pre-knowledge of the tribe (not knowing thier language, traditions, customs or culture)

 

All these factors lead up to revenge, or something the Indigenous Australians called 'payback'. It is a ritual where you hurt and show your anger at somebody after his or her wrongdoing towards you. When the Indigenous Australians seeked their revenge, misunderstandings and conflicts would rise causing the two nations to be at war against each other.

 

Cultural Differences

The cultural differences also played an important role as to why the British settlement of Australia wasn't successful.

 

The Indigenous Australian's Culture:

• Harmonious and peaceful area to live in

• No war

• Trees and land are sacred

• Lots of agriculture (dependent on their land)

 

The British Culture:

• Civilised 

• More superiour culture than the Indigenous Australian's culture

• More modern tools and technology

 

Australia Today

Today, Australia is a complete different place from when the first fleet arrived in 1788 with convicts and marines.

When we talk about Australia, we immediately connect the word with beaches, coasts, surf boards and the largest

city Sydney. Australia is now a very developed country with cities and towns, also including rural areas and slums.