| As
well as encouraging social expressions such as songs, dance,
art, storytelling and artefact making, the Dreaming also taught
customs such as the role of men and women in society, and sacred
and public activities. The role of men and women often depended
on their initiation stage, their amount of knowledge or the
amount of experience they had. Women had authority and influence
in decision making, however, men had over riding power. Aboriginal
groups shared a common attitude as they saw no need to store
reserves of goods when it could be easily obtained from the
land. |
Material
gains were not as important as ensuring the survival of the
group. Their success that has lasted for thousands of years
relied on individual family members carrying out their specific
duties. The women of Adnyamathanha society were in charge of
food gathering which made up most of the group's food supply
and ensured a balanced diet. When a woman had children she was
unable to travel large distances and could not accompany the
men. Children and the elderly usually accompanied the women.
The group usually collected fruits, vegetables, insects and
hunted small animals such as lizards and snakes |
