The Aborigines refers to the original inhabitants and descendants of Australia. In modern Australia, Aboriginal people is used to collectively refer to the indigenous Aborigines and the Torres Strait Islanders who represents an even minority group that dwells in the Torres Strait Islands. The Aboriginal people, who were discovered by colonizers in the late 18th century, have had an almost unfair representation in today's modern society. The mention of Aborigines today elicit a picture of an archaic, backward, primitive and old fashioned people who have not been affected by the numerous technological inventions of the modern day world. This study will make an attempt to look at the literary works done by several authors and make an effort to see how they represent aboriginality in their works. It is worth to mention that significant authors with an Aborigine origin have contributed greatly to understanding aboriginality (Prichard, 1929, p 24). They have achieved this through the use of poems by writers such as Oodgeroo Noonuccal initially known as Kathleen Ruska. The Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Aborigines has been the topical object that have been commented and classified in all kinds of manners. Crude and savage descriptions have been used in the past as the media and different personalities attempted to capture their understanding of aboriginality (Mudrooroo, 1997 p 15). Scholars and people of religion had their own unique way of looking at the Aborigines. To some, the Aborigines were seen as degraded creation whose moral state made them unfit for heaven. To others, Aborigines the Aborigines were low life creation whose ability to learn and make judgment was poor and inherently handicapped. Due to it's out of place characteristics; Aboriginality has seen a great deal of representation in all forms of literature including paints, films and plays.
Manner in which Aboriginality has been portrayed
Since the colonization of the Aborigines by colonizers, aboriginality, which is a term loosely used to refer to the way of living of the Aboriginal people have been the topic of observation, analysis, study, classification and labeling. An author has suggested that aboriginality has slowly evolved from a daily practice and has become a problem that needs to be solved. The historic landscape in which aboriginality is based is profoundly wide bearing a lot of collection of obscure passages and historic statements that do not in any way reflect the truth about originality (Prichard, 1929, p 24). It has been suggested that a proper understanding of aboriginality can only be obtained by the Aborigines themselves other than from the colonizers who in most cases presented aboriginality based on their short sighted bias and prejudice against the indigenous people. The original Aborigine is hence nearly suffocated by imposed labels and classifications and they have had few enlightened people to speak back and represent their world in their own ways, meanings, words and significance (Lee, 2009, p 1). Writers have represented aboriginality in an array of ways and disciplines including cultural studies, history and anthropology. Other groups have also notably presented this phenomenon through various mediums such as life stories, autobiographies, music and dance, and a wide array of paintings and poetry. Most writers have presented aboriginality in terms of a considerably low probability of attaining education as compared to their Australian counterparts (Mudrooroo, 1997 p 15). A significant number of writings associate aboriginality with poor levels of literacy. This is mostly derived from national statistics obtained from government sources which show that the likelihood of an Aborigine kid getting education is considerably low as compared to the fellow Australian kids. Based on this notion, the term aboriginality has been associated with all form of provincial and old fashioned theories. It is this lack of formal education that many writers induce from when they paint aboriginality as a practice completely out of pace with the world. According to government statistics, the performance of Aboriginal people in national tests is considerably inferior to their peers. Thus, many writers have painted Aboriginality as associated with semi-illiteracy and a general lack in sharp qualities associated with modern day knowledge. In her poems Kathreen Ruska (Oodgeroo Noonuccal) paints this picture of the way an Aborigine is most likely to be viewed when he steps in the modern arrays of the modern towns. Most of the writers are in general agreement that colonization dealt a vicious blow to the way of life of the Aborigine. In mot of their works, the writers paints the Aborigine as an inferior being who finds himself colonized with no voice to speak back. Early records suggests that the original Aborigines underwent through harsh times and received vicious treatment from the colonizers who punished them for being too low and almost living like animals.
Aboriginality from Aborigines writers
Aboriginal writers who have done literary works on their background are biased towards protection of what may be called here their own. Most of them are sympathetic to the prejudice that their own kindred face when exposed to the more civilized world. One of the issues they have dwelt comprehensively is on the issue of identity. There is an argument that it is possible to be Aboriginal culturally without invoking the idea of civilization and adoption of a modern lifestyle (Mudrooroo, 1997 p 5). According to the adopted meaning and definition of the word indigenous by the UN, a group of people is deemed to be indigenous depending on several aspects. An indigenous group determined using objective criteria and some aspects of culture. Culture involves religion, a tribal system of leadership, residence in some geographical locations that is regarded as backward in terms of development. Also, an indigenous community has a way of identification and a consciousness that makes the member of such a community feel different from the rest of the world (Lee, 2009, p 1). Going by this definition, a group in Indonesia is classified as indigenous for not meeting the standards of development including such aspects as education and access to health facilities. Also, a group is considered Indigenous if it fails to meet and perform their social functions. In Paraguay, one is considered indigenous if he fails to meet certain social standards that are generally accepted as being necessary to live the modern life. The indigenous writers feel that such a definition is biased and that it does not reflect the naturalist nature with which some communities emerged. In other words, they argue that Aboriginism should be seen as a culturally engrafted lifestyle which should not be based on the level of scientific and technological development. This implies that the original Aboriginal writers advocate for the recognition of the Aborigines and their way of lives without the need for them to conform to the Western way of living (Cook, 1983, p16). It is in this sense that the invasion by the colonizers to the Aborigines is viewed by these writers as a rude intrusion of a way of life that ought to have continued in its natural course. While Western writers and other non- Aboriginal writers view colonization as important to the recognition and civilization of the aborigines, the Aboriginal writers argue that Aboriginism ought not to be interfered with, that the Aborigines are okay in their own herbal medicine and their informal settlements and systems of education. The aboriginal writers are sympathetic to the scorn their people receive from the supposedly civilized world yet they ought to be proud of their own identity. The aboriginal writers argue that Aboriginism should be recognized and taken as it is. That is to mean that there is no need to refer to the influence of westernization when identifying an indigenous group (Mudrooroo, 1997 p 18). Most aboriginal writers have written for self determination where a community, irrespective of its perceived backwardness has a right to control its self destiny. For the Aborigines, in the view of these writers, they are legitimate as a people and should have the right to determine their own political systems and pursue their own economic, cultural and social development. The international law recognizes this aspect but when it comes to applying it to the marginalized groups, the law seems not to be identified as the non-Aboriginal groups' tends to emancipate such minority groups, subjecting them to rigorous competitions for basic survival and in most cases, the minority group lose due to its apparent lack of exposure (Lee, 2009, p 1). It is this lack of recognition for the Aborigines that have seen the community being rated together as normal contemporary society, being subjected to the rigors of modern world competition and the eventual consequence has been the marginalization of the indigenous community. This has ostensibly alienated the Aborigines from the modern community, alienating them from their valuable natural resources and introduced an epidemic of poverty and untold suffering among them. According to Aboriginal writers, the indigenous groups should have continued as indigenous provided their natural resources were guaranteed (Tsiolkas, 2005, p 12). The attempts by modernity to introduce westernization to such groups are detrimental owing to their inherent inabilities which make the disadvantaged when compared to the other contemporary Australians. It is in the view of most Aboriginal writers that recognition o the Aborigines must include the fundamental right to self determination and self definition and that the Aborigines must be free from the manipulation and control by alien cultures and traditions. This argument advocates that if there is need for any change, such a change should be self created and should stem from the aspirations of one's own desires (Tsiolkas, 2005, p 27).
Aboriginality By non-Aboriginal Writers
Non-aboriginal writers have done much in literary works in depicting their view of the traditional Aborigine. The views presented by these writers capture the knowledge that outsiders have on Aboriginality. In their systematic presentation of Aboriginality, they show no sympathy in depicting the traditional view of Aborigines and indigenous groups. There has been an argument that these writers present an invented or feigned literature that does not in any way represent historical truth (Lee, 2009, p 1). It is argued that the aboriginality that they present in their works is fictitious and seems to refer to nonexistent persons and events. This writer's presents Aboriginality which is acceptable or expected by the outsiders while neglecting basic facts on the ground concerning the true nature of Aboriginality. It is in this view that writers such as Langton argue on the decentering of Western culture in any attempt to present Aboriginality (Cook, 1983, p 36). The majority of non-aboriginal writers present an outsiders view of aboriginality. In mot cases, these writers attempt to compare the Aborigines with the modern society which results to a very poor image of the Aborigines. In a general sense, one can say that non-Aboriginal writers misrepresent Aboriginality by painting a conjured up image of their history and culture. These writers hence describe Aborigines as shabby, poor and dispossessed. In their presentation of Aborigines, they portray a group with a deep, almost spiritual attachment to their ancestral land which was swallowed by the intrusion of the colonizers. In general their works are in accordance to popular stereotypes and traditional assumptions made about the Aborigines (Tsiolkas, 2005, p 14). Aboriginality is hence presented as a form of life full of hopelessness and a longing for the good old days.
Similarities in Representation by aboriginal and non-Aboriginal writers
The similarities between these writers are not straightforward generalizations. A few aspects can however be picked to represent an assumed similarity. The two groups of writers present aboriginality as a backward primitive kind of lifestyle that is not in pace with the other developing worlds (Lee, 2009, p 1). In their presentations, the Aborigine is always portrayed as an individual who till conforms to backdated ages and has been unable to pick a modern language. The two writers are in agreement that the Aborigine feels at a loss of identity and has a continual longing for their little piece of land back in the country.
Differences in Representation by aboriginal and non-Aboriginal writers
Aboriginal writers are the hidden voice of the indigenous groups. Their presentation of aboriginality presents a sympathetic approach and view of their kindred (Mudrooroo, 1997 p 21). They feel for the Indigenous groups' incapability to cope with the modern life and almost feel ashamed when they contrast their aborigines with the contemporary Australians. On the other hand, non aboriginal writers' present aboriginality in the view the world would want to se the Aborigines. They hence represent them with no sympathy and lays down the primitivism of these groups in their works (Prichard, 1929, p 24). The aboriginal writers feels that aboriginality has been overrepresented with fallacies and prejudice while the non aboriginal writers do more research to present more new discoveries about the Aborigines. While the aboriginal writers feel that Aborigines have been denied identity, their counterpart's feels that the Aborigines are to blame in their lack of recognition. The aboriginal writer portrays the intrusion of the Aborigines by westernization as an affront to their natural heritage (Cook, 1983, p 36). In their songs and poems, their wish is that the Aborigine can be spared the agony of adopting new cultures and should forever be allowed to retain their inherent indigenous traits (Tsiolkas, 2005, p 21). On the other hand, non aboriginal writers view this as the age when aboriginality and other indigenous traits should be overridden by the adoption of new knowledge especially through formal education and integration in the contemporary society.
Conclusion
The term aboriginality conjures an image of primitivism and backward culture. Many writers have undertaken to present this phenomenon in a way they have deemed fair and representative of the truth. The kind of representation they present however is different especially depending on one's background. The aboriginal writer presents it with sympathy and a call for more recognition and inclusion while the outsiders present aboriginality as a phenomenon that is passed by time and ought to be erased using education and technology.
The author Sarah Hopkins has resume writing experience of over 5years. She holds a PHD in writing from Cambridge. She has been assisting students, professionals in writing professional resumes and cover letters capitalresumes.com
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France has always been known for its taste in fine arts, especially in theatre and music. Since the days of the French intellectual revolution, music has become an integral part of the culture of France. Movies of that period were quite musical and that great tradition has been carried on till today.
Music in France – the origin and Influence
Music in France has very interesting history. It has even been influenced by aboriginal music and sounds as well! Sounds weird, right? France has always been good at accepting intellectuals and culturally rich tribes and people from all over the world. Over the years, this has formed the very basic structure of French music. In case, one is really into world music, they will find some resemblance from Latin America, Asia and even African sounds in French music! That is truly a rich and diverse form of French Music.
Modern day France though has slightly shifted from the folk and classical versions of the same and has brought some pop and hip-hop French style beats into the culture. Yet, the real music of France resides in the classical and folk music.
French Classical and Folk Music
Purists attribute the beginning of French classical music from the sacred tunes of the Roman Catholic Church. History has it that the world famous French opera was first identified as classical music in the year 1646 – performed in Carpentras. That was also the beginning of the French Opera! The great French musicians were also adept at composing ballads and songs of love that has this ‘classical' touch in them. Though they experimented with the classical fusion music by adding some ingredients of the folk music, purists preferred to stay with the original classical form which eventually became popular throughout the world!
The 19th century in France is heralded as the romantic era in the history of French music owing to the lot of passionate and romantic films released in that period. In the later half of the 20th century, some outstanding foreign composers had a major impact on France's romantic era and that transformed the classical romantic era of music in France like no other.
Though, there are folk musicians in modern France, they have been sidelined to the mountainous region or even Corsica. You can on request find shows in Paris that cater to the tourists when they demand some folk music. All in all, modern French music still takes inspiration from the folk tunes! The most apparent usage of folk music is seen in the techno beats where the mixers take some part of the original French folk music, add some fusion beats and come out with a very hip hop kind of tune! Western France and the island of Corsica have been the major torch bearers of folk music and dance in France.
Moving over to the French classical music again, it bears close resemblance to Indian and Japanese classical and traditional music (read: notations) respectively. It is considered to be a less followed path but a more soul stirring music and hence is renowned, the world over. French music is really something to enjoy and cherish, especially if you have grown tired of loud music!
For more information about French music, visit Plume-Noire.com. ---- Article from articlesbase.com
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Edith Piaf - La Vie En Rose
worldofsillyhead.blogspot.com Still of Edith Piaf singing La Vie En Rose. Edith Piaf is such an amazing person. I recommend her to everyone! )
