NSW Department of Education and Training

Traditional Indigenous dance varies in expression and style, depending on the region from which it comes. Sacred dances are performed for ceremonial purposes and participatory dances convey stories about life, spirituality and culture. Aboriginal Elders are the custodians of dances and it is inappropriate to perform traditional dances without seeking permission first.

The performance of a traditional dance today is a contemporary expression of that dance. Contemporary Indigenous dance companies such as Bangarra Dance Theatre fuse traditional dance with modern and contemporary dance style.

The resources arts action and Quantum leaps provide activities that incorporate Aboriginal perspectives.

Dance detours, a Stage 2 unit from Quantum leaps, provides learning experiences that engage students in a study of Torres Strait Islander dance. Content in the unit can be varied for other stages. 

Aboriginal Australian arts are viewed not separately but as an interrelated aspect of Aboriginal peoples' lives. Ceremonial life, song, dance and storytelling explain creation, spirituality and beliefs.

In drama, exploration of Aboriginal perspectives can incorporate song, dance and storytelling. The drama forms of improvisation, movement, storytelling and readers' theatre can be used.

The Stage 2 unit, Aboriginal Dreaming, in Exploring the worlds of K-6 drama provides a range of resources and learning activities.

In this unit students explore Aboriginal Australia through improvisation, movement, storytelling and readers' theatre and make links with learning in English, Human Society and Its Environment and in the other arts.

Students can engage with Indigenous traditional and contemporary culture through musical repertoire.

The song 'Taba naba', included in the resource Vocal-Ease 1 & 2, is a Torres Strait Island song and sit-down dance, from Darnley Island.

This song is remembered from long ago, the composer is not known but it is definitely of Erub origin. The dance actions, according to Erub (Darnley Island) Elder and historian, George Myre, may be attributed to one of Erub's foremost dancers, Sweeney George Morseu.

Aboriginal art is not just a form of self-expression. It may also be a response to the world that conveys meaning and has a spiritual purpose. Even decorative designs found on objects such as shields, boomerangs and baskets may contain symbols relating to the spiritual or dream world and illustrate relationships with nature.

The resources Enter Art and Beyond the frame contain images of works created by Indigenous artists. Each image includes learning experiences that can be incorporated into teacher's programs.

The units The animal in me (Stage 1) and Mapping a place (Stage 3) incorporate the study of Aboriginal artworks and culture.