The Australian Culture

The Australian Culture

Australian culture

The Australian culture is a mix of contemporary Australia with several western cultures. Originally, the Anglo-Celtic dominated and lived as early settlers. In 1850s various immigrants poured belonging to multi-ethnic cultures because of the gold rushes. After Second World War, the number of arrivals in Australia increased. Also, the Australian culture is influenced by the American culture where the aborigines' dreamtime is the central theme. Dreamtime is the name given to the traditional system of the Aboriginal beliefs. The influence on Australian environment is geographically special as compared to the western countries and proximity of Asia (Walsh, 2009).

The oldest surviving group in Australia is the cultural manifestations. They are one of the oldest surviving indigenous people in the world as well who currently reside in Australia along with the people of Torres Strait Islands. Their generations have lived for about 400,000 to 60,000 years where about 200 years ago Europeans have altered their lifestyles. Their principal occupation was gatherers and hunters. Currently, among the total Australian population of about 483,000 people there is estimated indigenous Australian population to be 2.3% of whole population. Art and literature is spread in vast details with the reconciliation and conflict between the indigenous and nonindigenous in Australia. Modern Australia has taken symbols from the aboriginal Australian music. Also, the aboriginal art of ancient times such as didgeridoo and boomerang are also promoted (Venturini, 2012).

Australian culture has a strong influence of the European and British culture where recently American culture has also influenced the culture of Australia. As per the history of the Australian culture, these are the distinct influences on the culture of Australia. The early settlers in the country were the Australian Aborigines who were isolated from the proximity of Asia and western nations. Different cities of Australia represent different cultures where they are mostly influenced by the dominance of European communities. A much smaller number of immigrants reside from American and African continents as well (alphalink.com.au).

Besides Aborigines, the rest of the population is descended from Australian contemporary migrations. They reached the Australian continent from around 200 countries, starting with the first European settlement that made the English in Sydney, in 1788. Initially, Australia remained an eminently isolated society where the changes came after World War II. The immigrants removed from the ethnic distinctions entered the country at large numbers. The Southern European and Asian immigrants also poured in from the countries of Middle East as well. The total population in 2008 was about 21 million people where 43% of citizens were those who were born outside the country or had only one Australian parent. The main social values of contemporary Australia are liberal and democratic traditions, egalitarianism and informality. Sports, humor, cooking, arts, business and other aspects of Australian life have been spread by the migrations of the ethnic groups. They have left a strong influence on the culture of Australia (Walsh, 2009).

Australians show a high degree of authenticity and therefore, the best attitude one can adopt is ...