Women of the Sun

Alinta the Flame (lst part of a four part series)

·         This story which takes place in 1820ies, brings the audience closest to the customs and
culture of tribal Aborigines, and gives a fascinating insight into rituals and legends which has no
previous screen counterpart. The lives of the Nyari people are completely disrupted when they
discover two convicts washed up on the beach of their tribal lands. Subsequently, the Nyari people
meet other whites, settlers searching for grazing land. The abuse of the Nyari's sacred tribal ways
follows and eventually leads to the annihilation of the tribe. Only Alinta, 'The Flame', remains
with her child to carry the torch for her culture and the future. Directed by James
Ricketson. Dhamarrandju and English dialogue, English subtitles. Written by Sonia Borg and Hyllus
Maris (Aboriginal). Released in1981.

Q.:

1.How different was the life of Aboriginal children compared to European some 250 years ago?

2.How were the whites perceived by Aboriginals at the beginning of the film and later on?

3.How were Aboriginal children taught?

4. How were decisions taken, who was superior to whom?

5. How was the society (tribe) organized and how were the rules set?

6.How were stories /tribal history maintained? (->oral culture)

7. What skills were valued in Aboriginal men?

8. How was work divided (food obtained)?

9.What did the visitors to the tribe have to do before entering the camp?

10.How could young people meet before marriage?

11.How did the occupiers (Whites) see Aboriginal people?

12. Can you remember any aspects of racism?

13. Discuss the importance of rituals in tribal life (dancing, singing, body painting)

14. Why didn’t they build permanent houses and accumulate wealth?

15. How did they communicate?  Greetings? (contact x non-contact cultures)