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Folklore: Books on the Dreamtime

12 Mar 06 - 03:38 AM (#1691051)
Subject: Folklore: Books on the Dreamtime
From: Amergin

Hello...I am looking for good books about the Dreamtime...and the aboriginal way of life....and rites and dances and such....I am hoping that I may get some good recommendations then contact my local bookstore....thank you.


12 Mar 06 - 07:10 AM (#1691117)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Books on the Dreamtime
From: Peter T.

Most of what is written about the Dreamtime is ridiculous.
Stay away from Bruce Chatwin's "The Songlines!"
The best book by far is "Songs, Dreaming, and Ghosts" on The Wangga of North Australia
by Allan Marett, because it has an audio CD with the songs and chants discussed in the book with it. It may be hard to find, but it is new -- 2005. It is also very detailed.

David Turner's book, Life before Eden is also good, but very scholarly as well.

Almost anything by Roland Berndt is worth reading.

yours,

Peter T.


12 Mar 06 - 07:20 AM (#1691119)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Books on the Dreamtime
From: Peter T.

Forgot: Fred Myers' Pintupi Country, Pintupi Self (about Western Australia) is good too. Also very detailed. Has a long chapter on the Dreamtime, and lots on landscape (and way too much on kinship systems!)


yours,

Peter T.


12 Mar 06 - 10:36 AM (#1691230)
Subject: RE: Folklore: Books on the Dreamtime
From: MBSLynne

I have a set of paperbacks I rather like by Reed Books, and written by A.W. Reed. They are "Aboriginal Stories of Australia", "More Aboriginal Stories of Australia", "Aboriginal Words of Australia", "Aboriginal Myths", "Aboriginal Legends", "Aboriginal Fables" and "Aboriginal Place Names".

Love Lynne