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How did Dreaming beings shape the landscape and rules for social life?

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Aboriginal people of Galiwnku Island in Australia — Australian Aboriginal peoples Aboriginal people from Galiwnku Island gathering to watch the proceedings at which Prime Minister Kevin Rudd formally apologized to the Aboriginal peoples of Australia for their mistreatment under earlier Australian governments, February 2008.

In the worldview of Australian Aboriginal peoples, the Dreaming refers to a creative era at the dawn of time when mythic beings shaped the world and established the foundations for existence.1

Shaping the Landscape

During the Dreaming, ancestral beings traveled across the continent, creating the natural environment as they moved. As they journeyed, they transformed the land, creating features such as water holes, rocky outcrops, and various terrains. These locations became sacred sites, serving as tangible proof of the beings' world-creating powers. Through their travels, these beings also created different clans and animal species, effectively humanizing the landscape.123

Establishing Social Rules

The Dreaming beings left behind the "laws" that govern social life, which include rules for behavior, kinship, and ritual obligations. These narratives and oral traditions distinguish right behavior from wrong and provide a blueprint for human society. By following these ancestral blueprints and performing necessary rituals, humans ensure the continued flow of life-giving power and maintain the cosmic order.132