The Original Australians by A.A. Abbie (Revised Edition, 1976)

Author:
A.A. Abbie (Andrew Arthur Abbie, 1905–1976)

Publisher:
Rigby, Adelaide, 1976
ISBN: 0727000039
Series: Seal Books
Format: Softcover, xx, 271 pages + 29 leaves of plates
Condition: Good – slight tanning to page edges, light general wear, clean throughout

Description:
This revised edition of The Original Australians by distinguished anthropologist A.A. Abbie offers a rich and respectful overview of Aboriginal life, culture, and history across Australia. Drawing on decades of field research, Abbie explores a wide range of themes including physical characteristics, kinship systems, art, music, diet, law, ceremonial life, traditional medicine, language, spirituality, and early contact with explorers and settlers.

Spanning everything from totemism and sacred objects to health and government policy, this work provides an accessible yet scholarly perspective for anyone seeking a comprehensive introduction to Aboriginal societies from pre-colonial times to the 1970s.

Why You’ll Love It:
This is a foundational reference for students, collectors, and readers interested in Indigenous culture, anthropology, and Australian history. Abbie's respectful and wide-ranging narrative, paired with diagrams, maps, and photographs, gives readers both context and insight into the complexity and resilience of Aboriginal societies. A highly readable and informative guide for personal study or as a companion to other ethnographic and policy-based works.