Australian culture and art in Northern Territory
Aboriginal culture
Aboriginal people have lived in the Northern Territory for more than 50,000 years and their culture and connection to the land remain strong. In Arnhem Land especially, the people continue to live semi-traditional lives.
There are more than 80 indigenous language groups in the Territory, from the Larrakia people of Darwin to the Arrernte people of the Alice Springs region. Aboriginal people account for one-third of the Northern Territory’s population and there are more than 40 indigenous languages still spoken today.
Aboriginal communities share their spiritual beliefs and cultural law with future generations through Dreamtime stories, dance and paintings. At some galleries and centres you can sit with Aboriginal artists, learn how they create the art and share their Dreamtime stories of how the landscapes were created.
The Northern Territory’s national parks contain some of the oldest Aboriginal rock art in the world and the region offers visitors many opportunities to experience indigenous culture first-hand.
Experience Aboriginal culture
Asian and European culture
The Northern Territory has a multicultural population – in Darwin alone there are people from more than 60 different nationalities and 70 different ethnic backgrounds. The most common languages spoken after English are Greek, Italian, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Cantonese.
Greek migrants arrived in the NT more than 100 years ago and the Greek community today makes up approximately 10 percent of Darwin’s population. The community operates a Greek school and hosts the annual Glenti festival. Chinese people have lived in Darwin since 1874 and today operate a Chinese school, a language and culture centre and a Chinese temple, and hold annual Chinese New Year celebrations. The Northern Territory’s multicultural communities are represented in other events including the Darwin Festival, which has a strong focus on South-East Asian artists.
Diverse Australian Culture
Art
Aboriginal culture and spirituality have been expressed through art including painting, music and dance, for thousands of years. Paint was traditionally made of ochre, giving it earthy tones, but today’s Aboriginal artists also incorporate modern materials, including canvas and colourful acrylic paints.
At some of the Northern Territory’s art centres and galleries, such as the Tiwi Islands and Yirrkala in Arnhem Land, visitors can meet local artists and see them at work. There is also a thriving network of non-indigenous artists in the Northern Territory, working in a range of mediums. The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory is the ideal place to start learning about the art and culture of the region.
Aboriginal Art Trails
Festivals
The Northern Territory hosts an eclectic array of annual events, including the Garma Festival in Arnhem Land, the country’s premier indigenous cultural event. The Darwin Festival features comedy, dance, theatre, music, film and visual art, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award and the NT Indigenous Music Awards.
Other Darwin festivals include Glenti, which showcases Darwin's Greek community, and India@Mindil, held by the smaller Indian community. Annual events include Territory Day celebrated on July 1, the Beer Can Regatta, the Tiwi Islands football grand final and art sale, as well as the Alice Springs Beanie Festival and Camel Cup.
Unique Events
Henley on Todd
Be a part of the chaos at this Northern Territory event, a boat race in the desert.
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