First People Then And Now: Introducing Indigenous Australians
First People Then And Now: Introducing Indigenous Australians
Discover! the rich cultural heritage of Australia’s first people then and now in one of the world’s first centres of civilisation
“Australia was one of the earliest centres of civilisation in the world with its beginnings around 60,000 years ago. What was once the unknown continent was inhabited by Indigenous Australians.
Global pioneers
Australia’s first people then and now were global pioneers in many ways. They were among the first great sea voyagers. Between 40,000 and 100,000 years ago the first people had to cross the waters between northern Australia and the islands of Southeast Asia.
Sophisticated technology
They developed a sophisticated technology making tools and weapons made of stone. They were among the first to practise aerodynamics with the creation of the boomerang.
Land conservation and management
Indigenous Australians understood the dynamics of land conservation and management and they developed a religious, social and cultural life that recognised the essential bonds between mankind and the land.
Ceremonial life
In the history of Australia’s first people, they demonstrated their ability to reach for the stars in art, in legend and oral history. In their ceremonial life, they embraced the first ritual expression ever undertaken in the history of the world and their burial ceremonies pointed to a firmly held belief in the afterlife.” 1
Learn about the vast, sweeping epic story of Australia’s first people dating from 60,000 years ago to the present day?
In her most recent book Marji Hill presents the big picture – the history, the rich cultural heritage, British invasion, resistance, and the process of reclaiming an almost lost inheritance.
First People Then And Now
* Provides answers to questions asked by visitors to Australia from around the globe
* Explains concepts like the Dreamtime, totems, Native title, clan, “tribe”
* Shows how the cultures of the first people survived in the face of almost total dispossession and destruction
* Promotes understanding between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australians
* Brings into the spotlight the culture and humanity of the Indigenous Australians coupled with the insidious colonisation by the British
* The writing style is simple with headings reflecting the content of each section
* Neither the Indigenous Australians nor the British are glorified or villainised
* The book is a compelling and unbiased and questions are answered succinctly
First People Then And Now is not written from an Indigenous perspective. However, the author, Marji Hill, has had a lifetime involvement with Aboriginal Australia and has spent years working with the first people and studying their cultures.
Matt Pointon, a visitor to Australia from Staffordshire in England, says the book is A great read; it draws you in with tales and stories and rewards you with an unbiased education about a fascinating people.
As an Englishman who is spending some time in Australia, it is interesting to learn about the people who lived on the land before. Their cultures and traditions are fascinating and this book makes it easy to absorb. A compelling, digestible and educational book about an often overlooked race we Europeans learn so little about. An essential read.
Anna Niec, Founder of GCECO , Gold Coast in Queensland says First People Then and Now captured my attention with its concise and relevant information. Marji Hill is clearly an authority on the subject of Aboriginal culture. The chapter on art and religion are excellent which Marji makes this complex subject simple to understand, and supplements her writing with interesting, and helpful images. I highly recommend this paperback and ebook to anyone even remotely interested in Aboriginal history and culture.
If you are interested in gaining a basic understanding of the world’s oldest continuing civilisation, how it has evolved, and how it is characterised by its resilience, then this book is a great starting point for you.
1 Excerpt From: Marji Hill. “First People Then and Now.”
