A Place for Strangers

This 1993 book offers a comprehensive examination of how external influences have shaped Australian Aboriginal world-views, exploring themes of myth, ritual, and cultural change, making it essential for various academic fields.

A Place for Strangers, published in 1993, offers an in-depth examination of how external influences have shaped the worldviews of Australian Aboriginal peoples. The author delves into various aspects of Aboriginal culture, including myth, ritual, cosmology, and philosophy, revealing the complexities of their belief systems. By analyzing these elements, the book highlights the ways in which contact with outsiders—such as Melanesians, Indonesians, and Europeans—has altered traditional practices and beliefs.

One of the key contributions of the book is its effort to identify a core set of religious beliefs that predate European contact. This exploration allows readers to appreciate the deep-rooted spirituality of Australian Aborigines while also acknowledging the significant changes brought about by interactions with different cultures. The author meticulously examines social organization, subsistence patterns, and cultural transformations, providing a comprehensive view of Aboriginal life and its evolution over time.

This work is particularly valuable for scholars in fields such as anthropology, religious studies, comparative philosophy, and Aboriginal studies. By addressing the interplay between indigenous traditions and external influences, A Place for Strangers challenges readers to reconsider preconceived notions about Aboriginal culture. It serves as an important resource for understanding the dynamics of cultural change and the resilience of Aboriginal worldviews in the face of outside pressures.