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Old 28th February 2011, 10:46 PM   #4
Amuk Murugul
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Kaboejoetan Galoenggoeng Mélben
Posts: 457
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Hullo everybody,

Please bear in mind that one should avoid lumping Australian Aboriginals into one group. There is actually quite a diversity of them, each with a separate culture/language (language as opposed to dialect). They prefer to consider themselves as separate 'clans' or 'nations', much like Native Americans/First Peoples.
Also, the indigenous peoples of northern Australia have had many centuries of contact with peoples from the Archipelago (peoples such as the Baiini, Makassar, Boegis); since long before the coming of Europeans. Some have sailed, worked, married, settled there.
Furthermore, such contacts have brought benefits. For example, people from Makassar have left an indelible imprint on the indigenous people of the north such as, many aspects of their language, technology of: dug-out canoes, harpoons, metal weapons , the long pipe, etc.(The products of this 'new' technology were traded with peoples further inland, thus expanding their usage.)
Even today, people from Makassar and northern Australia hold reunion ceremonies to celebrate their common heritage; a chance for long-lost relatives to find each other and for others, a chance to get together.

Best,

Last edited by Amuk Murugul; 28th February 2011 at 11:05 PM.
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