Cultural Diversity & Common Identity

Traditional aboriginal societies were diverse.

In regions where animal life was rich, high protein meat diets were the order of the day. Elsewhere, vegetable, seed and insect products were prominent in the diet.

In desert areas, hunters ranged over huge distances, while among coastal and river aborigines, where fishing was also important, communities were larger and more sedentary.

There was also enormous diversity in social organisation and artistic expression; more than two hundred languages were spoken throughout Australia.

And while regional alliances were sometimes forged to deal with a common problem or enemy, it wasn't until the twentieth century, that a 'national' aboriginal identity emerged.