08Sep05

Aboriginal Culture

Visit by Mount Taylor

Hall / Courtyard / Grounds

Leader: Rama

Duty Six: Brown

18h00 - 18h15

Welcome, opening parade, explanation

18h15 - 18h30

Aboriginal Game - Gorri - Aboriginal boys and men in all parts of Australia played bowl-ball or disc games. In Western Australia a piece of rounded bark (disc) was rolled by one of the boys for the other boys to throw spears at. The boy who rolled the disc stood about 15 metres away from the throwers and would call out "gool-gool" (going-going) as he started the disc rolling. The boy who succeeded in spearing the disc took the place of the bowler. Accuracy of the eye and speed in casting the spear were easily learned from the disc game. A version of this game is still played in the Kimberley region and the Northern Territory using flattened tin lids as targets for spears, stones, and other missiles.

- equipment - we'll use hoops and balls.

- players - one or two rollers at each of the N/S ends of the hall, others E/W sides

- throwers line up opposite each other at least 5 metres apart, the rollers yell "gool-gool" and roll the hoop between the groups at a slow speed. Rollers at the other end retrieve the hoops and send them back. Throwers attempt to roll/throw the balls through the hoops. If they succeed, replace the roller.

Aboriginal Languages

Boomerang Craft

Aboriginal Stories and Games

18h30 - 19h15

3 x 15 minutes

- brief history of aboriginal languages - how many do you think there are (about 200 today, probably over 600 before the settlers arrived - what happened to the languages, what happens when a language dies?

- relay game with pices of language map - spread out the pieces at one end of the hall, all the players together (!) run to the pieces, pick one they think will fit, and put it in place. If it doesn't work, return, put it back, and get another - group activity not individual

- talk about the map

- explain some of the traditional symbols used

- cut out boomerang

- paint a design that tells a story using traditional symbols and made-up symbols

- choose a couple to talk about their stories and explain their symbols

- talk briefly about the Dreamtime, why do aboriginals use stories? - pass on history, explain things, etc.

- choose and read a story - do the Cubs know anything similar in our culture? - why do we use stories

- try the memory game

Memory

A game which helped children remember and identify the surrounding landscape is played by the Walbiri tribe of the Northern Territory. A large circle is drawn on the ground and the leader places sticks and stones on it, each one named after a prominent landmark in the area. After studying the arrangement of the objects, the players turn their backs on the circle. The first player calls an object at a given point and continues to call each article on the line until he or she makes a mistake. Then another player tries. The first player to correctly name all the objects has the honour of arranging the pieces for the next game. If they all fail, the leader rearranges the objects and they try again. Start with just a few objects, but sometimes the Walbiri children had as many as fifty placed on the circle. You could use place names from around your town, or locations within the school grounds, or make up cards with various items drawn on them.

19h15 - 19h25

Aboriginal Game - Gecko and Beetles - This is a game of tag played at night in the Northern Territories where the gecko looks for beetles to eat.

- equipment: normally, two wooden blocks for each "gecko", we'll clap instead

- most of the Cubs are beetles and stand anywhere in the playing area. The older children are the geckos, and must clap five times and shout "ready or not, here we come" before beginning their hunt. They must clap again if they tag a beetle. (The clapping cuts down on the gecko's speed and makes the game a fair one for the younger children.) When tagged, beetles must sit down in the "beetle box" (designated area) until all beetles are caught.

or, if outside is available

Flying Possums

This is a game of hide and seek. It is played in the Australian outback. It is usually played in the moonlight and traditionally by boys, although girls can play in the west. Ideally you should have at least six players, of any age.

Players divide into hunters and flying possums. Hunters must sit with their heads hidden and count to 100 while the flying possums hide. Possums may move about. When a possum is caught by a hunter he must stay with him (but doesn't help him hunt.) The game is over when all the possums have been caught.

19h20 - 19h30

Closing parade, badges, etc