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Music and dance are central to tradition Aboriginal life. The word 'Corroboree' involves more than just song and dance. It describes the total performance of song, dance, body decoration for performers, musical instruments, shouts and calls, audience involvement and lighting, much like the concerts we perform today.
Aboriginal Corroborees and dances were usually held at night. The performers would decorate their bodies and faces using ochre. All dances and songs tell a story. Aborigines performed music and dance on many different occasions. Music and dance also played an important part in the initiation and death ceremonies, which were often performed in secluded areas.
Non sacred songs covered subjects such as hunting and fishing, relationships between men and women, the weather and dreams.
Groups of Aborigines made up their own songs and poems. These would be performed around the campfire at night as entertainment.
Corroborees were not the only occasion at which songs were sung. Women sang while fishing, special songs were sung for the sick and the dying, and some were sung during chores just for fun. Song and dance was also an important part of ceremonies such as those preparing for war, making peace, and resolving disputes.
The didgeridoo was used but Northern
Australia,
not in the Sydney Region.
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