Australian Aboriginal "Totems"

[Uncanny Valley]

Very recently I've seen a few docos on some endangered Oz animals and conservation attempts... and mid way thru some Aboriginal fella waltzes on claiming this beastie is part of his totem. WTF?

I've never heard of this before, has anyone else? Is it a case of:

a] ya didn't pay attention at school [believe me, we had a lot of time devoted to Aboriginal history]
b] they left that bit out at school coz the curriculum was wanting
c] Aborigines spying another chance of a shakedown and making up some horseshiat story a la Secret Women's Business "you must employ me and only me as a guide ps: can I have some extra free money coz of my totem. Totem."
d] Totem

You heard it here first folks. I've spotted the start of the totem craze. It's gonna be like the mad grab for popular internet domain names 10 years ago.

[Auzgurl]

Very recently I've seen a few docos on some endangered Oz animals and conservation attempts... and mid way thru some Aboriginal fella waltzes on claiming this beastie is part of his totem. WTF?

I've never heard of this before, has anyone else? Is it a case of:

a] ya didn't pay attention at school [believe me, we had a lot of time devoted to Aboriginal history]
b] they left that bit out at school coz the curriculum was wanting
c] Aborigines spying another chance of a shakedown and making up some horseshiat story a la Secret Women's Business "you must employ me and only me as a guide ps: can I have some extra free money coz of my totem. Totem."
d] Totem

You heard it here first folks. I've spotted the start of the totem craze. It's gonna be like the mad grab for popular internet domain names 10 years ago.

Is there such a thing as a "totem craze"?..Totems in Abl culture have always been integral and part of their spiritual equation Uncanny..so if your trying to make a link to landrights/human rights..its always been there, no biggie .and who cares anyway.

The curriculum in relation to anything Indigenously orientated was very wanting and still is..there is so much to know that will never be taught in schools..more "beaureacraticfuckupism"..

[JW Frogen]

I claim dibs on the Killer Whale as my totem.

[Jovial Monk]

WTF?

What is that orca doing and why the FUCK is that bloke holding the orca's dick?

[TomB]

Very recently I've seen a few docos on some endangered Oz animals and conservation attempts... and mid way thru some Aboriginal fella waltzes on claiming this beastie is part of his totem. WTF?

I guess the term "totem" is being used because of exposure to international cultures but I have always heard it referred to as Dreaming. Everyone has a Dreaming animal which is sacred to them and cannot be hunted by them .... plus other complexities which I don't understand, not being an Aboriginal.

It probably has a good foundation in maintaining food resources ie. only certain people can hunt particular animals in certain areas so over-hunting is minimised.

[TomB]

That bloke is Frogen and he's doing research for his next book.

"Whales and other beasts I have loved"

[Uncanny Valley]

"The fact we could have lower taxes, higher spending and bigger surpluses for about five years - in other words, we could have a magic pudding - led some people to think that thrift, prudence, responsibility had somehow become irrelevant. It's never irrelevant, and I fear that we're somehow going to discover just how relevant those old fashioned economic virtues are in the next few years."

Superb quote.

I typed that up and bunged it on a few notice boards at work last fortnight.

Can I just point out that in the original "quoted" bit by Skippy he is quoting the article, not specifically Tony Abbott. I'm sure that was only an accident that it looked like you were quoting Tony Abbott.

I've only read the quotes, not seen the interview. I'd be interested to know how much [what "weighting"] he is talking about the past government, and how much he's talking about business leaders, mums and dads, and morons in general.

Very recently I've seen a few docos on some endangered Oz animals and conservation attempts... and mid way thru some Aboriginal fella waltzes on claiming this beastie is part of his totem. WTF?

I guess the term "totem" is being used because of exposure to international cultures but I have always heard it referred to as Dreaming. Everyone has a Dreaming animal which is sacred to them and cannot be hunted by them .... plus other complexities which I don't understand, not being an Aboriginal.

It probably has a good foundation in maintaining food resources ie. only certain people can hunt particular animals in certain areas so over-hunting is minimised.

Thanks Tom. A borrowed American term. It still smells extremely whiffy to me, but it sounds a lot more believable than Auzgurl's thoroughly researched "always has been, no big deal" post.

I mean, how up Shit Creek would ya be if your totem was a kangaroo or wallaby?

[JW Frogen]

It is American, like "Totem pole".

The North West American Indians have a coprywrite case against Aboriginals. Or are all the non white males pooling their outrages into one big PC grab bag?

I would be outraged if I were stupid and bored.

[TomB]

Oh look, Frogen is outraged.