Indigenous Australians: The Darug Assignment 2022

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Indigenous Australians: The Darug
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Indigenous Australians: The Darug
There are approximately three hundred and seventy million Indigenous people in the
modern world. These groups of people are known for practising unique traditions and
maintaining their socio-cultural characteristics. In Australia, Indigenous people are divided into
two: the Aboriginals and the Torres Strait Islanders. The Darug indigenous people exists as an
Aboriginal group that has occupied considerable parts in Mount Druitt, Blacktown for thousands
of years (Doyle, 2016, pp. 103). The Aboriginal group has retained their unique language,
knowledge and belief systems. Moreover, the Darug people consider ancestral lands and waters
to be of great importance. Traditional cultures and beliefs play chief roles in the Darug
Aboriginal’s economic, social and political systems (Trescak, et al., 2016, pp. 570). The Darug
have a strong sense to kinship and family.
The Darug Aboriginals speak Dharug language as their first language. Remnants of the
Indigenous group still speak their ancestral language. For thousands of years, the Darug have
actively been hunting the game, fishing and gathering wild fruits as their main economic activity.
Historically, the Darug were the custodians of the vast areas ranging from Parramatta to the Blue
Mountains. Being hunters and gatherers, the Darug never owned the land they occupied but
rather belonged to it. Ancient Darug people took sacred places to be holy places with great
significance to the living. Sacred rocks, rivers, trees, and hills were highly venerated. Warriors,
legends and strong leaders were also highly respected. There are many stories, myths and
legends taught to young Darug individuals about fearless warriors, respectable legends and
idyllic political leaders (Bodin-Andrews, 2016, pp. 29). There were many songs sang after these
places. Songs were also sang during ceremonies and initiation rituals. Surprisingly, it is
interesting to know that for the Darug community, mentioning a deceased person by name is