Main Typical Social Ceremonies of Australia

Citizenship ceremonies

The final step in the journey to become an Australian citizen, for most people, is to make the Australian Citizenship Pledge at an Australian citizenship ceremony. Once your application has been approved, you will be invited to attend your ceremony.

Citizenship ceremonies are special events. They fulfil requirements under Australian citizenship law. They also provide an important opportunity to officially welcome new citizens as full members of the Australian community. They are often an emotional experience for the new citizen, as well as their host and guests.

An Australian citizenship affirmation ceremony often follows a citizenship ceremony, giving everyone present an opportunity to publicly affirm their loyalty to Australia in a similar way to new citizens.

There is the link of an example of this ceremony:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_RLIHMGDpk

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is on April 25 the day the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) landed at Gallipoli in Turkey in 1915 during World War 1. This day is set apart to hold dear the memory of those who fought for our nation and those who lost their life to war. The day is a public holiday. We remember with ceremonies, wreath laying and military parades.

There is the link of this ceremony in 2009:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Buu1D-Xiq7w

Birth ceremonies in Aboriginal society

In Aboriginal communities there are particular ceremonies associated with the birth of a child. These ceremonies usually involve a feast and gift exchanging. In historical times, “birthdays” (as an annual recognition of birth) were not generally celebrated; however, today many Aboriginal people enjoy birthday celebrations in the same way as other Australians. The particular ceremonies associated with the birth of a child create the tapestry for how a child will live and interact within the world. Ceremonies and birth rights cannot be seen in isolation as they are intrinsically linked to totems, kinship lores, marriage rules, social cohesion and environmental sustainability. 

It is important to recognise that there is a diverse range of Aboriginal birth ceremonies throughout Australia. Local cultural practices and lores are unique to each language group. The examples presented below are generalisations only. Specific information on birthing ceremonies should be sought from Aboriginal people. 

Ceremony/Corroborees

Aboriginal ceremonies (known to most people as corroborees) are dramatic representations, in mime and song, of the mythical history of the tribe. These ceremonies have many functions and take many forms.

There are the non-secret rituals performed in the camp at night, before an enthusiastic audience of men, women and children. A group of adult men, seated around a small fire, will chant one or another of the ancient songs, while others, their bodies decorated with strange symbols, portray , in a series of spectacular dances, the incidents in the myth.

The ceremonies of the youths, at which no fully adult male or any women are present, are the most important to the participants. In these, the young actors, their bodies decorated with the creature they represent, mime the episodes of their creation during mythical times. These rituals, many of them of considerable beauty, are the youth's first step toward their integration into the life and responsibilities of the men.

Nothing is neglected in these ceremonies to teach the youths the rules and philosophy of the tribe and the obligations that accompany them; trials of fortitude and the air of secrecy that surrounds every phase of the rituals are designed so to impress the youths that neither the rituals, nor their associated meanings, will ever be forgotten. They will guide his behaviour as long as he lives.