Tjukurpa (dreamtime stories)

Tjukurpa, often translated as Dreamtime, is a fundamental concept in Aboriginal Australian culture that encompasses creation, law, and spiritual belief. It describes how ancestral beings shaped the land, animals, and people, establishing the moral codes and traditions that guide life. These stories are passed down through generations via oral storytelling, ceremonies, and art, linking people to their environment and ancestors. Tjukurpa is not just mythology but a living, functional system that informs decisions, social relations, and land management, emphasizing interconnectedness, respect for nature, and cultural identity.