Fire in the sky: The southern lights in Indigenous oral traditions
Duane W. Hamacher

TL;DR
This paper explores the significance of Aurora Australis in Australian Indigenous oral traditions, highlighting its cultural meanings and similarities with Native American beliefs.
Contribution
It provides an analysis of Indigenous narratives and cultural interpretations of the southern lights, emphasizing their symbolic importance.
Findings
Aurorae are linked to fire, death, blood, and omens in Indigenous traditions.
Australian Indigenous stories share similarities with Native American beliefs about aurorae.
The paper highlights the cultural significance of aurorae in Indigenous communities.
Abstract
Parts of Australia have been privileged to see dazzling lights in the night sky as the Aurora Australis (known as the southern lights) puts on a show this year. Aurorae are significant in Australian Indigenous astronomical traditions. Aboriginal people associate aurorae with fire, death, blood, and omens, sharing many similarities with Native American communities.
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Taxonomy
TopicsIndigenous Studies and Ecology
