Western Knowledge Systems And Traditional Knowledge System And Aboriginal Knowledge Systems

Western knowledge systems and Aboriginal Knowledge system both are traditional knowledge systems. Western knowledge systems have main elements of observation and analysis, while Aboriginal knowledge system have holistic and relationship main elements. Both traditional knowledge systems have their advantages and disadvantages. Although elements distinguish the systems from each other they both integrate as they develop.

Western knowledge systems seem to be complex and advanced as observation, analysis of properties and categorising result in scientific discoveries of law and principle. Behaviours are time based, task orientated and often motivated by an individual status and financial gain. This is well demonstrated within western commerce

Australia was isolated from the western world much longer than the rest of the globe and therefore maintained the traditional knowledge systems much longer without western influence unlike other continents and cultures. Aboriginal knowledge systems are strongly built on relationships and holistic views. Land, family, law, ceremony and language are all interconnected. Aboriginal relationships are strongly bonded by the kindship system. There are three levels of kinship moiety, totem and skin name. Moiety meaning half, represents the system of all being having two halves that unite to keep balance. Kinship moiety can be determined by the matrilineal or the patrilineal. Aboriginal people of the same moiety are considered siblings and are responsible for supporting each other. Totems are inherited in four layers. Nation, clan group, family group and personal. Totems connect Aboriginal people to Country. Totems are a responsibility, they are to be protected and handed down generations. Totems also have a moiety to ensure sustainability and balance. Skin names distinguish bloodline, similar to a surname. Each nation has its own unique set of skin names which are inherited from matrilineal or patrilineal lines, that indicates gender and generation. Aboriginal relationship and kinship systems determine roles and responsibilities which are moiety, gender and generation orientated. The

Rock art and cave art represents knowledge of the dreaming, law and environment. Symbolic representation of spirits, man, women, child, animal, energetic concentric circles, camps and food are all commonly depicted in rock art. Rock art also serves as timeline as distinctions of art such as x-ray, hatchwork, poker work, papunya tula, encoding, engraving and yam style. It is acknowledged that rock art sites represent knowledge systems such as sacred sites, men’s sites, women’s sites, children’s sites and teaching sites. Teaching sites such as rock platforms were spirits, people and animals are engraved or encoded on a large flat rock plateau are a classroom. The fatter or bigger the spirit the more knowledge. Men’s sites as The Hands Cave at Mount Yengo has stenciled ochre hands. Some stencils just the hand, others the hand and wrist and fewer the hand and forearm. This was symbolic of Aboriginal Knowledge. A hand was a set amount of knowledge of a boy, a hand and a wrist would represent a mature knowledge of a man, while hand and forearm would represent a higher or sacred knowledge of an Elder. Sites are now preserved and the larger collections such as Kakadu Ubirr, Uluru, Kimberleys are major tourist attractions. Site are maintained by Traditional Owners and Custodians, some are repainted every decade and some remain sacred and not accessible to the public. (Pascoe,