Australia's Custodians: History, Culture, and Colonial Impact

This essay provides an overview of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the traditional custodians of Australia, exploring their history, culture, and the impact of colonization. It delves into their origins, linking them to Malanesian, Papuan, and Asian heritages, and discusses their traditional lifestyles as hunters and gatherers, their animistic beliefs centered around 'dreaming,' and their rich artistic traditions. The essay also addresses the devastating effects of colonial invasion, including the introduction of diseases, violent land seizures, and the disruption of Aboriginal culture and spirituality. Furthermore, it highlights prominent Aboriginal figures who have contributed significantly to Australian society, emphasizing the enduring cultural heritage of the TSI people despite the forces of modernity and colonial influences. The essay concludes by noting the ongoing study of indigenous Australians by modern historians due to their lasting cultural legacy.

Custodians of Australia1
CUSTODIANS OF AUSTRALIA
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Custodians of Australia
The custodians of Australia are the Aboriginals and Torres who bear a historical heritage in
Australia long before colonization. These two groups are commonly referred to as ‘indigenous’
but the term is unpopular among them because of its generic connotation. The Aboriginal
identity is linked to the languages they speak and not the regions where they stay. They bear a
strong cultural heritage that links them regardless of their physical location. The Gunditjamara
that are custodians of Western Victoria and Yawuru who reside in Broome found in Western
Australia are examples of the various ethnicities among the Aboriginals. It is also common for
the Torres Straight and Islanders to refer to themselves according to the geographical features of
their habitation. In this regard, there are ‘saltwater people’, ‘freshwater people’, ‘rainwater
people’ among others. The name of their home island is also a common reference point among
the TSI in reference to their home.
About the TSI
The indigenous Australians are believed to belong to a common ancestry. Studies have
linked their identity to the Malanesian and Papuan people. There have also been links to an
Asian heritage and European culture. Some scholars have linked the migration of the native
Australians from Papua New Guinea about 32000 years back1. Philippines has also been cited as
the possible origin of the TSI people before they made their entry into Australia. In an intriguing
study carried out in 2011, scientists discovered a connection between the genetic material of the
people residing in Papua, Mamanwa and the Denisowans of Asia. This study suggests that there
is a possibility of interbreeding between the people of these cultural heritages at some point in
history. A 2012 study also proposes that there was a possible genetic transfer from India to
Australia more than four thousand years back.
Traditionally, the Aboriginal people foraged the land and were hunters and gatherers. In this
connection, they lived semi-nomadic lifestyles where they changed location depending on the
availability of food. However, the various groups of the natives lived diverse lives with some
choosing a settled life where they practiced agriculture. Prior to the European occupation, some
Aboriginal populations engaged in fish trade with the Makassan businessmen who hailed from
Indonesia.
The Australian traditional inhabitants have practiced Animism as a religion and subscribe to the
doctrine of ‘dreaming’. The dreaming belief is steeped in the Australian oral traditional values
that ascribe prime importance to land. With the interaction of various cultures, various forms of
1 Prescott, D., Colliver, A. and Nichols, S., 2016. The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines
Made Australia—ERRATUM. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 32(1), p.135.

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religious beliefs emerged among these people groups. Presently, the range of religious beliefs is
based on ancestral spirits that include Dirawong and Rainbow Serpent. The dreamtime
philosophy was under the custody of traditional healers who propagate the religious beliefs
through the generations. The native Australians are highly musical and every ceremony is
accompanied by singing accompanied by the use of specific musical instruments. In addition,
native Australians are endowed with a rich repertoire of art ranging from stone carvings to bark
painting that dates back to 30 000 years back2. In this regard, Australian art is regarded as the
oldest form of continuing art worldwide.
Colonization
The colonial invasion of Australia had devastating effects of the native inhabitants. There was a
drastic decline in the number of the Aboriginals and it is estimated that about 90 percent of the
population was wiped out following a string of tragedies. The entry of colonial masters into
Australia heralded the introduction of new diseases into the country. The most devastating
diseases included small pox and influenza3. Records show that almost half of the population
succumbed to small pox not more than fourteen months after the arrival of the first group of
colonialists. In addition, sexual abuses meted out on local girls led to the spread of venereal
diseases that caused further fatalities.
The British settlers forcefully took the native land in a move that was fiercely defended by the
locals. Violent erupted that led to the killing of many indigenous people. The colonialists used
crude forms of killing including cold blooded murders and offering of food laced with poisonous
substances4. The displacement of the Aboriginals from their land drastically affected their culture
and lifestyle. Following the colonial era, most Aboriginals lost their identity as they were given
fresh names as a requirement to receive portions from the colonial masters. The men also lost
status in the community as hunters and gatherers and were expected to work as directed by the
colonialists. The spirituality of Aboriginals was also affected because of their alienation of the
land5. Aboriginal native religion has a strong connection with land and the possession of this
asset by the colonialists significantly hampered their spiritual activities.
2 Johns, G. ed., 2014. Recognise What?: Arguments to Acknowledge Aborigines, But Not Recognise Aboriginal
Culture Or Rights, in the Australian Constitution. Connor Court Publishing.
3 MacDonald, C. and Steenbeek, A., 2015. The impact of colonization and western assimilation on health and
wellbeing of Canadian Aboriginal people. International Journal of Regional and Local History, 10(1), pp.32-46.
4 Bates, D., 2015. Series 5, 15-8 miscellaneous press clippings: Problem for Whyalla engineers, Citizen rights for
natives, Charges of cruelty to aborigines, Control of aborigines, Leichhardt's last expedition, Poems and rhymes,
Land and other property for sale (?), Mrs. Napier Birks.

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Prominent personalities
The indigenous Australian community has produced some world famous personalities who have
contributed to societal progress. Cathy Freeman is among the well known Aboriginal sporting
legends who participated severally in Olympic Games. Cathy was the first Australian to win gold
in the Olympic Games after winning the 400 meters race6. Neville Bonner rose to prominence
being the first politician from the Aboriginal community and served as a senator between 1971
and 19837. While in parliament, Bonner helped advocate for the rights of the Aboriginal people
in Australia.
The culture of the TSI has greatly influenced the history of Australia. Regardless of the forces of
modernity and colonial influences, the TSI remain a distinct group that continues to uphold its
culture. The indigenous Australians continue to be a subject of study among modern historian
because of their enduring cultural heritage.
Bibliography
5 Loos, N., 2017. Invasion and Resistance: Aboriginal European Relations on the North Queensland Frontier 1861-
1897. Boolarong Press.
6 Macniven, R., Elwell, M., Ride, K., Bauman, A. and Richards, J., 2017. A snapshot of physical activity programs
targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 28(3),
pp.185-206.
7 Meadows, M., 2016. Our voice: Indigenous communication as a cultural resource. Journal of Alternative and
Community Media, 1, pp.30-32.

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Bates, D., 2015. Series 5, 15-8 miscellaneous press clippings: Problem for Whyalla engineers,
Citizen rights for natives, Charges of cruelty to aborigines, Control of aborigines,
Leichhardt's last expedition, Poems and rhymes, Land and other property for sale (?),
Mrs. Napier Birks.
Johns, G. ed., 2014. Recognise What?: Arguments to Acknowledge Aborigines, But Not
Recognise Aboriginal Culture Or Rights, in the Australian Constitution. Connor Court
Publishing.
Loos, N., 2017. Invasion and Resistance: Aboriginal European Relations on the North
Queensland Frontier 1861-1897. Boolarong Press.
MacDonald, C. and Steenbeek, A., 2015. The impact of colonization and western assimilation on
health and wellbeing of Canadian Aboriginal people. International Journal of Regional
and Local History, 10(1), pp.32-46.
Macniven, R., Elwell, M., Ride, K., Bauman, A. and Richards, J., 2017. A snapshot of physical
activity programs targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in
Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia, 28(3), pp.185
Meadows, M., 2016. Our voice: Indigenous communication as a cultural resource. Journal of
Alternative and Community Media, 1, pp.30-32.
Prescott, D., Colliver, A. and Nichols, S., 2016. The Biggest Estate on Earth: How Aborigines
Made Australia—ERRATUM. Australian Journal of Environmental Education, 32(1),
p.135.