The Aborigines' knowledge of the Southern sky was extraordinary. They not only made complex and highly accurate observations of first- and second- magnitude stars, but also viewed those down to fourth magnitude as well. That's no mean feat, given the latter's faintness and the Aborigines' reliance upon the naked eye and primitive recording techniques.

This incredible knowledge of the heavens allowed the Aboriginal people to create a complex seasonal calendar based on the constellations. Some tribes even used certain stars (particularly the Pointer of the Southern Cross) for navigational purposes. Movements and patterns of stars at particular times of the year helped them predict changes in the weather to determine their seasonal supply of food.

An Abstract But All-Encompassing 'Dreamscape'

Yet to call it "creation" is far too simplistic. The Dreaming envelops everything. From law and ancestry, to song, dance, culture and philosophy, the all-encompassing Dreaming is inherent in all things that occupy the planet.

According to Aboriginal myth, it was during the Dreaming that the world was created by the Aborigines' "creative ancestors" in accord with their own power, wisdom and intent. These ancestors would travel the void of darkness that existed before time. They would hunt, make camp, fight and love and by doing so shape the void into the landscape we have before us today.

Before they traveled, the ancestors would "dream" of what would be created the following day, from plants and animals to mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, stars and of course the human tribes that would populate the landscape.

Once the ancestors had created all things, they retired back to the sky and became a part of all things they created -- the soul of that which they had created. These journeys became Aboriginal Dreamtime Law, which is portrayed in all the art, stories, song, dance and social patterns which the Aboriginal tribes held to so dearly.

The Dreaming is more than just myths and legends; it's a deeply-embedded holistic philosophy of existence that provides the framework for their lifestyle and identity.

How To Build a 'Cathedral in the Sky'

As with many cultures around the world, such as the Native American Indians, the stories that make up myth and legend vary from tribe to tribe. This is also the case with the Aborigines. And their explanations of the formation of the moon, stars, sun and indeed the entire Milky Way varies from tribe to tribe.

Author Dianne Johnson writes in 'Night Skies of Aboriginal Australia', that 'Aboriginal astronomical knowledge was not discrete and separate from other aspects of cultural life. It was interwoven into song, dance, ritual art and myth, and certain aspects could be owned by one group of people to the complete or partial exclusion of another."

But what they had in common is that they didn't just see the skies as a place of wonder, but one that explained natural occurrences on earth that paralleled with tribal experiences and behavior.

Roslynn Haynes wrote in The Australian Journal of Astronomy that many of the Aboriginal legends and myths had a direct correlation with the constellations, and so the night sky became a constant reminder of the moral lessons enshrined in the myths. She likens them to the stained glass windows of cathedrals, providing an illustrated textbook of morality and culture, during the thousands of years when oral tradition was the only means of communication within the tribes.

Given that there are literally thousands of stories, myths and legends relating to how the sky, moon, sun, stars, etc. were created, it is impossible to publish them all here. However, one favorite among many Northern Australian tribes is this interpretation of the moon's creation:

In a time long forgotten, the tribes became aware that light was just as necessary at night as it was during the day if the tribes were going to venture out or hunt.

One of the tribe members had an idea. He thought if he could make a flaming boomerang and toss it high into the sky it would shine with enough light at night to illuminate the people and animals below. So a boomerang was made and the tribesmen attempted to throw it high into the sky. As much as they tried, they weren't able to throw it high enough.

A thin, elderly man saw what was going on and asked if he could try. The younger members of the tribe laughed at the old man but a wise elder of the tribe said the old man should be allowed to try. The old man threw the boomerang. Upward it sailed before settling in the sky, shining down on the people as the moon. And every month when the new moon appears in the sky, we can see the boomerang, still shining brightly.

Dreaming Fades in Face of Modernity

But as with many ancient cultures throughout the world, the myths and legends that have been an integral part of life for those cultures are slowly being lost to time. The elder members of tribes are slowly passing away and the stories are not being handed down as they once were. Modern culture now increasingly incroaches -- both physically and spiritually -- on the ways and beliefs of native peoples.

If we neglect cultural heritage, such as that of the Australian Aborigines, these unique 'windows on the world' could also become a thing of myth and legend. The bond between this incredible culture and the landscape it holds so dear could be lost forever.

In the Kakadu region of Northern Australia, a very wise and much respected elder of the Bunitj Clan named "Big Bill" Neidjie has collected together his thoughts about Aboriginal life. In his book Story About Feeling, he poignantly describes in this poem the unique relationship between the Aboriginal people and the land that they hold so sacred -- a relationship that could only be born out of the Dreaming:

All my people all dead

but we got few, that's all.

Not much, not many . . . getting too old

and young-fellas I don't know they hang on this story.

All my uncle gone

but this story I got im.

They told me, taught me

and I can feeling.

Feeling with my blood or body,

feeling all this tree and country.

While you sitting down e blow,

you feel it wind

and same this country you can look

but feeling make you.

James Carter is an Australian-based writer.