Preservation, Adoption And Adaptation

There has long been a neglect of Aboriginal music by Australian mainstream musical industry. For a long period of time in such a Westernised environment, Aboriginal music was labelled exotic and primitive and even valueless. The beginning of Australia's history as a penal colony for Britain is also the beginning of a large number of Aborigines' being massacred and expelled from their hunting grounds and ritual sites by the new settlers. On the one hand, Aboriginal Australians were kept away from their local languages, arts, culture and customs. Aboriginal music, which was orally transmitted, could no longer be passed on. On the other hand, the development of Aboriginal music was obstructed by incessant external impacts: Western hymns, bush ballads, country music, rock'n'roll, hip-hop, reggae, R&B, etc. Australian Aboriginal music is faced with an identity crisis.Under these influences and pressures, some Aboriginal musicians have started to embrace Western musical forms and strive to be accepted by mainstream audience while some others unswervingly stick to their own traditional music. Still some Aboriginal artists flexibly combine Western musical elements with their own tribal musical features, which is very beneficial to the restoration, preservation, growth, and promotion of Australian Aboriginal music. Local and national Aboriginal music organisations were established one after another to assist in the Aboriginal cultural survival and revival. During their arduous process of identity search, Aboriginal artists have achieved due respect and recognition. This is a long process. They will continue this pursuit until greater understanding and communication between Australian Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal music is achieved and co-prosperity of both cultures is realised.