English (as adopted from Aboriginal languages)
Dreamtime
/DREEM-time/
Dreamtime, or The Dreaming, is the eternal, foundational epoch when ancestral beings emerged from the earth, sea, and sky to sculpt the landscapes, create all living things, and establish the sacred laws and customs that govern Aboriginal life. It is not a bygone era but an ever-present reality, a living continuum where the creative power of these ancestors continues to resonate, shaping the physical world and infusing every rock, river, and creature with profound spiritual significance. This sacred time intertwines past, present, and future, forming the very essence of Aboriginal identity, law, and connection to country.
Lit. The concept refers to a time of creation and ongoing spiritual influence, often translated as 'The Dreaming'.
Used to describe the foundational spiritual beliefs and cosmology of Australian Aboriginal peoples, encompassing creation stories, ancestral beings, and the ongoing spiritual connection to the land.