{{short description|Aboriginal deity related to Uluru}} {{About|the Indigenous Aboriginal deity, Adnoartina who is regarded as the spiritual protector of Uluru|Aboriginal creation stories|dreamtime|the site of Uluru |Uluru|}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=May 2020}}
'''Adnoartina''' is known as a religious [[deity]] in the [[Australian Aboriginal culture]].<ref name="Mudrooroo">{{cite book |last1=Mudrooroo |title=Aboriginal mythology : an A-Z spanning the history of aboriginal mythology from the earliest legends to the present day |date=1994 |publisher=Thorsons |location=London |isbn=1855383063}}</ref> This deity is described as taking the form of a [[gecko]] lizard and is considered to be a sacred ancestral being.<ref name="Mudrooroo" /> Adnoartina offers an Indigenous understanding to the creation of [[Uluru]], an Australian historical landmark.<ref name="Bartlett">{{cite book |last1=Bartlett |first1=Sarah |title=The mythology bible: the definitive guide to legendary tales |date=2009 |publisher=Sterling |location=New York, United States |isbn=1402770022}}</ref> This landmark is regarded as one of the most sacred land formations in Australia and an ‘iconic’ tourist attraction.<ref name="Brooks">{{cite journal |last1=Brooks |first1=David |title=Uluru Inverted |journal=Journal of Comparative Research in Anthropology and Sociology |date=2014 |volume=5 |issue=2 |pages=53–59}}</ref> As Adnoartina is a key figure in the creation of Uluru, this deity is a symbolic figure in the Aboriginal religion.<ref name="Mcbryde">{{cite journal |last1=Mcbryde |first1=Isabel |title=Travellers in storied landscapes: a case study in exchanges and heritage |journal=Aboriginal History |date=2000 |volume=24 |pages=152–174}}</ref>
Adnoartina is central to one of the world's oldest religious beliefs as [[Australian Aboriginal religion and mythology|Aboriginal mythology]] has existed for centuries.<ref name="Allen">{{cite journal|last1=Allen|first1=Louis|date=1980|title=Pride in the Past|journal=Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal|volume=4|pages=57–59}}</ref> However, the significance of Adnoartina continues to be a cultural influence as stories are passed down through generations of ancestors.<ref name="Allen" /> Such stories are known as [[dreamtime]] stories, which are fundamental to the Aboriginal religion.<ref name="Antonella">{{cite journal |last1=Antonella |first1=Natale Riem |title=The Pleiades and the Dreamtime: an Aboriginal Women's Story and Other Ancient World Traditions |journal=Coolabah |date=2012 |volume=9 |pages=113–127}}</ref> Though Adnoartina originates from Aboriginal mythology, this deity is further present in published academia. The published studies of Adnoartina have communicated the significance of this deity in the Aboriginal culture. Adnoartina is regarded as a spiritual figure in the dreamtime and continues to be a [[Motif (narrative)|motif]] in the art, music and ceremonial practices of the Aboriginal culture.<ref name="Mcbryde" />
== Origin ==
Adnoartina is derived from the Indigenous [[Diyari]] people, alternatively transcribed as ‘Dieri.' The Diyari community is located in South Australia, east of [[Lake Eyre]]. This cultural group recognise Adnoartina as one of the great spirits in dreamtime stories.<ref name="Gason" >{{cite book |last1=Gason |first1=Samuel |title=The Dieyerie tribe of Australian Aborigines |date=1874 |publisher=Government Printer |location=Adelaide |pages=253–307}}</ref>
== The story of Adnoartina == [[File:Ulurusunset.jpg|thumb|Uluru, Northern Territory, Australia]] The god always helps and protects uluru.<ref name="Mudrooroo" /> The gender of Adnoartina varies between being curvy or straight stories as this deity is commonly referred to as a female goddess however, other stories describe Adnoartina as a male god or a non-gendered being.<ref name="Mercatante" >{{cite book |last1=Anthony S & James R |first1=Mercatante & Dow |title=The Facts on File encyclopedia of world mythology and legend |date=2009 |publisher=Facts On File Inc |location=New York, United States |isbn=0816073112 |pages=817–818 |edition=3rd}}</ref> Adnoartina’s story is a teaching of creation and essentially describes how Uluru came to have its red [[ochre]]. The narrative follows the rivalry between Adnoartina and Marandi the dog as they hunted the same prey.<ref name="Horne & Aiston" >{{cite book |last1=Horne & Aiston |first1=George & George |title=Savage Life in Central Australia |date=1924 |publisher=Macmillan |location=London}}</ref> According to legend, Adnoartina challenged Marandi and as they fought, Adnoartina bit into Marandi’s neck, spilling his blood onto Uluru and staining it red.<ref name="Horne & Aiston" /> The story further details how geckos were shaped to fend off predators as Adnoartina’s tail was used as protection during the fight.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> The following extract is sourced from Aiston and Horne’s published book from the year 1924.
“Marindi the dog leapt up and tried to catch Adnoartina by the back of the neck and shake the life out of him. But the lizard ran in low beneath the terrible fighting teeth. He seized the dog by the throat and hung on. In vain Marindi shook him and scratched at him with his claws. The sharp teeth sank in and in, until at last the red blood spurted out."<ref name="Horne & Aiston" />
There have been alternative understandings of Adnoartina as not all stories link to the ochre of Uluru. In some narratives, the stain from Marandi’s blood is the source of ochre from the Pukardu Hill site.<ref name="LMV">{{cite web|title=Search result for "Pukardu Ochre Mine"with the following datasets selected - 'Suburbs and Localities' and 'Gazetteer'|url=http://location.sa.gov.au/viewer/?map=roads&x=138.5356&y=-31.16511&z=12&uids=19,105&pinx=138.533440&piny=-31.259590&pinTitle=Location&pinText=Pukardu+Ochre+Mine,+Mine|website=Location SA Map Viewer|publisher=Government of South Australia|access-date=19 July 2019|quote=distance used in article determined by using measuring tool on the source website}}</ref> This site is dual-named by the [[Government of South Australia]] as ‘Parachilna Ochre Mine’ and ‘Vukartu Ithapi’ and is located 52 kilometres (32 miles) North of the [[Flinders Ranges]].<ref name="SAGG-2004">{{cite web|title=GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES ACT 1991 Notice of Declaration of Names of Places|url=https://governmentgazette.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/public/documents/gazette/2004/August/2004_069.pdf|last1=Kentish|first1=P.M.|date=5 August 2004|publisher=Government of South Australia|page=2749|access-date=19 July 2019}}</ref> In other stories, Marandi’s blood is the source of ochre from the rocks on the banks of the Mecca creek, located in the Cloncurry Shire region in [[Queensland]].<ref name="Mcbryde" /> However, the dominant narrative is that the story of Adnoartina relates to the ochre of Uluru.<ref name="Bartlett" />
== Similar deities ==
As the ochre from Uluru is spiritually valued across various tribal groups, there have been accounts of similar deities to Adnoartina.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> As Adnoartina is derived from the Diyari people, different tribes recognise deities such as 'Kuringii', 'Kilowilina', 'Perilingunina', 'Itikaru' and 'Tjapara' as key figures in the creation of red ochre.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> Therefore, dreamtime stories are diverse in perspective as these deities are often described as taking the form of an emu.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> However, a link across all stories is the belief that Uluru’s red ochre was created from the blood of a sacred being.
== Anthropological developments ==
Though Adnoartina has existed for centuries in the Aboriginal culture, this deity was introduced to a global audience through observational studies.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> For example, the published work of [[Ethnography|ethnographer]] [[George Aiston]] and [[Anthropology|anthropologist]] George Horne offers direct knowledge of Adnoartina from the 1920s.<ref name="Horne & Aiston" /> Aiston in particular lived with the Diyari people for many years and translated the story of Adnoartina for English speaking people.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> This has contributed to the knowledge of Adnoartina through the observations and documentation of the Aboriginal culture.<ref name="Horne & Aiston" /> However, this western means of publication has the potential to be culturally stereotyped.<ref name="Stanner">{{cite news|last1=Stanner|first1=W|date=1968|title=After the Dreaming|publisher=ABC Boyer Lecture Series|url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/boyerlectures/past-boyer-lectures/4998888|access-date=26 May 2020}}</ref> Unlike other mythologies, Aboriginal stories are not spoken in the past tense, rather, it is fundamentally believed to be a teaching of the past, present and future.<ref name="Stanner" />
== Significance of Uluru and red ochre == [[File:Aboriginal Bora Ceremony - circa 1900.jpg|thumb|Original photograph commencing an Aboriginal ceremony]] [[File:Aboriginal rock art.jpg|thumb|Aboriginal rock art using red ochre. Sourced from [[Gundabooka National Park]], NSW Australia.]] Uluru is considered sacred to the Aboriginal people as it is known to protect ancient spirits of the region.<ref name="Hueneke & Baker" >{{cite journal |last1=Hueneke & Baker |first1=Hannah & Richard |title=Tourist behaviour, local values, and interpretation at Uluru: 'The sacred deed at Australia's mighty heart' |journal=GeoJournal |date=2009 |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=477–490}}</ref> In this sense, Uluru is deeply important to the Aboriginal cultural identity.<ref name="Hueneke & Baker" /> As the creation of Uluru is central to Adnoartina’s story, this deity is regarded as an important figure in the Aboriginal culture.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> The blood of Marindi that was described to have dyed Uluru with red ochre is considered to be of spiritual value for Indigenous Australians.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> In the Aboriginal culture, this ochre is believed to hold spiritual power, particularly through the connection to Aboriginal mythology.<ref name="Howitt" /> As the creation of Uluru is fundamental to the story of Adnoartina, the red ochre from this site is considered to be particularly valued.<ref name="Howitt" /> This ochre is used for ceremonial practices and art to communicate the story of Adnoartina and related beings.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> For example, red ochre is essential for the 'Mindari' ceremony of the Diyari people, otherwise known as the 'peace ceremony.'<ref name="Howitt" >{{cite book |last1=Howitt |first1=Alfred William |title=Messengers and Message Sticks - Barter and Trade Centres - Gesture Language, Native Tribes of South-East Australia |date=1904 |publisher=Creative Media Partners, LLC |pages=678–735}}</ref> Red ochre is used in this ceremony for the purpose of symbolic and decorative ritual as people are painted and given bundles of red ochre to form a spiritual connection to Adnoartina.<ref name="Howitt" /> Other forms of ceremonial practice were the red ochre expeditions which the Diyari people considered to be a spiritual journey.<ref name="Howitt" /> This expedition socially connected the Indigenous people as different tribes would travel to the source of Uluru’s red ochre.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> It was believed that the red ochre expeditions had the power to connect the Indigenous people to Adnoartina and other related beings.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> Red ochre was further significant to the Aboriginal community as it was historically used as a currency in trade.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> The ochre from Adnoartina’s story was valued in this context through the connection to mythology.<ref name="Howitt" />
== Role in traditional culture ==
Dreamtime stories are closely linked with the Aboriginal tradition as they are a spiritual understanding of creation and how the universe came to be.<ref name="Allen" /> It was believed that in reciting the dreamtime stories, people were able to experience the spirituality of beings such as Adnoartina.<ref name="Bartlett" /> In the Aboriginal tradition, dreamtime stories were significant to unify and influence language, religion and the laws of the Aboriginal communities.<ref name="Allen" /> Traditionally, Aboriginal mythology united local tribes as well as members of different tribes.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> Therefore, stories such as Adnoartina were considered to be an important aspect of the Aboriginal culture.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> Dreamtime stories have little relation to western understandings as they are formed through symbolic and spiritual concepts of creation.<ref name="Antonella" /> Unlike western knowledge, dreamtime stories are often communicated through speech, rather than transcribed.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Nguyen, Oliver & Rochecouste |first1=Bich, Rhonda & Judith |title=Embracing plurality through oral language |journal=Language and Education |date=2015 |volume=29 |issue=2 |pages=97–111}}</ref> As described by Indigenous elder Graham Paulson, “an Aboriginal [[cosmogony]] begins in the ‘Dreamtime.' This is the time before the world was shaped in the way we know it to be now.”<ref name="Paulson" >{{cite journal |last1=Paulson |first1=Graham |title=Towards an Aboriginal Theology |journal=Pacifica |date=2006 |volume=19 |issue=3 |pages=310–320}}</ref> Adnoartina is considered to be a significant figure in this mode of knowledge to understand how Uluru was formed with red ochre. Paulson further describes how the place of emergence and interaction of spiritual beings are “valued according to the importance of that part of creation to the local tribal group.”<ref name="Paulson" /> As creation in Adnoartina’s story took place at Uluru, this deity holds sentiment to one of the most sacred sites in the Aboriginal culture.<ref name="Bartlett" /> Uluru is considered to be a significant cultural landmark to various tribal groups and therefore, Adnoartina and related beings are valued as key figures in the dreamtime.<ref name="Bartlett" /> The tradition of animal symbolism in dreamtime stories were considered to be purposeful in unifying all forms of life.<ref name="Antonella" /> Adnoartina reflects this tradition being a lizard guardian and was especially significant to the Diyari people as lizards were considered the most sacred of all animal beings.<ref name="Gason" />
== Role in modern culture ==
Adnoartina continues to be significant in the Aboriginal culture as dreamtime stories are passed down through generations of ancestors.<ref name="Allen" /> The tradition of storytelling allows spiritual beings such as Adnoartina to live on through the legends of the dreamtime stories.<ref name="Allen" /> This is considered to be important as Aboriginal mythology is valued by the Indigenous people as a timeless teaching.<ref name="Stanner" /> Beings such as Adnoartina are believed to offer spiritual knowledge that is significant to past, present and future Indigenous people.<ref name="Stanner" /> Therefore, the passing down of knowledge is fundamental to the Aboriginal religion.<ref name="Stanner" /> Adnoartina now appears as inspiration for the stories, art, ceremonies and music of modern culture.<ref name="Allen" /> In modern art, red ochre is a primary material for many Aboriginal artists through its distinctive red colour and sheen quality.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> The ochre from Adnoartina’s story is especially valued through the spiritual link to Aboriginal mythology.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> This particular red ochre is called 'yamparnu' in the Aboriginal language.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> As dreamtime stories were often an [[Oral tradition|oral teaching]], art has become particularly important in modern culture to pass on knowledge of the dreamtime.<ref name="Flood" >{{cite journal |last1=Flood |first1=Josephine |title=Copying the Dreamtime: anthropic marks in early Aboriginal Australia. |journal=Rock Art Research: The Journal of the Australian Rock Art Research Association |date=2006 |volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=239–246}}</ref> This physical form of creative expression and sharing knowledge of beings such as Adnoartina is considered to be significant to the longevity of the Aboriginal culture.<ref name="Flood" />
As the creation of Uluru is central to Adnoartina’s story, this deity is linked to a historical landmark that continues to be regarded as a universal symbol of Australia.<ref name="Hueneke & Baker" /> The world heritage status of Uluru further relates Adnoartina to modern culture through the category of ‘commemorative sites’ to respect the tradition of Aboriginal beliefs.<ref name="Mcbryde" /> In this sense, Uluru has been acknowledged as a spiritual site for the Indigenous Australians through the sacred link to beings such as Adnoartina.<ref name="Wearing" >{{cite journal |last1=Wearing |first1=Stephen |title=National parks, tourism and marketing |journal=Australasian Parks and Leisure |date=2008 |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=29–33}}</ref> Uluru is famous in tourism for people to travel and witness what is widely perceived as one of Australia’s natural wonders.<ref name="Ryan & Huyton" >{{cite journal |last1=Ryan & Huyton |first1=Chris & Jeremy |title=Tourists and aboriginal people |journal=Annals of Tourism Research |date=2002 |volume=29 |issue=3 |pages=631–647}}</ref> In this sense, tourism can have a positive effect through keeping Indigenous culture integrated in modern times.<ref name="Ryan & Huyton" /> As Uluru has influenced modern culture through tourism, the story of Adnoartina continues to be shared to a modern audience.<ref name="Ryan & Huyton" /> However, tourism can have a counter effect as there have been reports relating to the lack of respect for Indigenous land.<ref name="Ryan & Huyton" /> A common concern relates to the cultural issues of promotional tourism in respecting the authenticity of sites considered sacred to the Indigenous Australians.<ref name="Ryan & Huyton" /> As Adnoartina holds cultural significance to the Aboriginal people, the [[Government of Australia|Australian government]] has listed restrictions on tourism such as banning people from climbing Uluru.<ref name=":0">{{cite journal |last1=Chan |first1=Eugene |title=Mindfulness promotes sustainable tourism: the case of Uluru |journal=Current Issues in Tourism |date=2019 |volume=22 |issue=13 |pages=1526–1530}}</ref> This was stated to acknowledge the importance of Uluru to the Indigenous people and the spiritual connection to mythological beings such as Adnoartina.<ref name=":0" />
== References == <references />
== External links == * http://collectionsearch.nma.gov.au/ce/Aboriginal%20lizard?solrsort=score%20desc&&page=2 Accessed 27 May 2020
[[Category:Australian Aboriginal deities]] [[Category:Legendary reptiles]]