A discussion of how the dreaming infiltrates and encompasses all aspects of Aboriginal life, landscape and culture. It started by discussing various myths to do with the creation of the land and the bringing of the law by the Rainbow Serpent and other Sky Heroes, followed by chapters on totemic identity, initiation rites and other rituals, the cycle of myths concerning Uluru, the role of the clever-men in the tribe, sexual practices and death rituals. It could have done with a bit better editing to weed out duplication, but overall it was a fascinating introduction to Aboriginal culture.

It was good book for me to read as a follow-up to last month's "The Philosophers' Secret Fire", since it concerns a people in touch with daimonic reality. ( )