Teacher Notes:
Ochre is one of the principal foundations of Aboriginal art and is primarily natural pigments and minerals found in the soil, or even charcoal. These natural pigments were used to depict Dreamtime stories and maps. They were used in body painting and rock painting, on artefacts and sometimes even on sand. Ochre was used by Aboriginal people as a traded commodity between different tribal groups across Australia. They had great value as some places didn’t have a lot of ochre but still had the same need to tell stories and record images of Dreamtime spirits.
One of the most famous Aboriginal artists to predominantly use Ochre was Rover Thomas Joolama who was very famous for his vary spare paintings where less is more. Ochre is still used today in Ceremony, dances and corroborees. Ochre has a spiritual significance to Indigenous people and has that ancient connection which goes back tens of thousands of years.
There are over 400 recorded First Nations’ ochre pit mining sites across Australia.
The ochre rock particles or compressed clay, is crushed and mixed with water, saliva, blood, the fat of fish,emu, possum or goanna, or occasionally orchid oil, to form a fixative so that pigment can be painted on rock, weapons, ceremonial objects and skin.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clans all have their own language words for this substance. For the Yolngu people of North East Arnhem Land, the white ochre is referred to as “gapan”. For the Wiradjuri people of NSW, their red ochre is called “gubarr” or “gidyi”.
While the most recognised ochre colours are red, yellow, white and black, other colours such as orange, purple, pink and turquoise are also found and used. Each colour is associated with quite specific meaning and use.
Ochre is also widely used as a medicine. When ingested, some ochres have an antacid effect on the digestive system. While others are rich in iron which may help wth fatigue and lethargy. Red ochre, due to its rich mineral content, is often used to protect the skin from the elements of weather, insect bites, ticks and fleas and is also excellent in caring for wounds. Ochre imbued with animal fat is also rubbed into wooden tools and ceremonial items to preserve the wood and prolong its use.
The Sweeping Ceremony is one of the traditional Aboriginal ceremonies used where local gum leaves are brushed over ones body to sweep away any negative energy when entering from one Aboriginal country into another. The gum leaves used absorb water and are believed to also absorb any negative energy and thereby releasing fresh, new energy.
The Smoking Ceremony is an ancient and modern practice shared by Aboriginal people by smouldering native leaves & plants. The smoke is believed to have both spiritual and physical healing properties, as well as warding off bad spirits. The berrigan emu bush, one of the plants used for Smoking ceremonies, produces a smoke with anti microbial effects. These positive effects are not observed in the leaves prior to heating.
Most Ceremonies combined song, dance and elaborate body paint ups & costume. These Ceremonies were designed to teach particular aspects of Aboriginal Lore, spiritual beliefs and survival skills.
