Cultural Practices and Ceremony Background
All cultural practices and ceremonies must be conducted by traditional custodians as they hold the knowledge, stories and connection to country. YRACA membership base is made up of the traditional Yugambeh speaking people of Southeast Queensland. The traditional area goes up to Logan to the North, Tweed to the South, Beaudesert to the West and the Pacific Ocean to the East.
The traditional clans or tribes that come from these areas are Kombumerri, Bullongin, Gugingin, Mununjali, Wangerriburra, Birrinburra and some family of the Minjungbal. When considering cultural practices and ceremonies in a certain place or site, priorities will be given to bloodline family members who have the strongest connection in the areas of these above clans or tribes.
Key cultural practises and ceremonies:
Welcome To Country
Welcome to Country is performed by a respected Elder or Traditional Custodian of the Country in which the Welcome is performed, or an Aboriginal person who has been given permission from that community to perform the Welcome.
A Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed to show respect for Elders and Traditional Owners past and present. It is performed on behalf of that community to welcome visitors to Country and offer safe passage. Traditionally it often meant the laying down of arms and meeting in friendship.
Smoking Ceremony
A sacred Smoking Ceremony is of great significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures a Smoking Ceremony is often performed:
As a welcome to a particular area.
To cleanse an area or person/s.
As a sign of respect for Traditional Custodians past and present; and/or
The passing over of elders, to rest the spirit.
Cultural theatrical performance and Art
Cultural theatrical performances can be conducted by all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the performance is to Educate, Entertain and to showcase the rich diversity of our culture from all parts of Australia and Torres Straits.
Traditional Art of the area consists off primitive depictions and characters in caves, on weapons and tools. Therefore, Dot Paintings and Cross Hatching Paintings traditionally came from other areas of Australia. Engagement and conciliation with traditional custodians around local stories and songs would ensure local cultural protocols were met.
Didgeridoo Performance
The Didgeridoo, traditionally known as the Yidaki is a wind instrument developed and played by the first nations people of northern Australia. The earliest use of the instrument was detailed in rock art in Northern Australia about 1,500 years ago. It is one of the most iconic instruments still in use today. The Yidaki makes a unique sound and produces vibrations that penetrate the entire body.
Traditional Dance Performance
Cultural dance performances differ from traditional group to traditional group and carry a variety of meanings and stories depending on the area, respecting Country, and our native wildlife.
Dances are often performed as part of ceremony and are the core of cultural life and practice. Cultural performers often paint their bodies as a mark of respect for the sacredness of the ceremony performed from their country.
Cultural Workshops
Cultural workshop sessions are interactive, encourage reflection and inspire commitment towards Aboriginal cultural knowledge and understanding improvement. Workshops help ensure participants connect their learning to their experience, they also help to dismantle the barriers between Aboriginal peoples and non-Aboriginal Australians working towards a reconciled Australia.
Art
Weaving
Fire making
Toolmaking
Boomerang in Spear throwing
Bushtucker
Environmental, flora and fauna