The Seven Sisters single work   short story   Indigenous story  
Issue Details: First known date: 1978... 1978 The Seven Sisters
The material on this page is available to AustLit subscribers. If you are a subscriber or are from a subscribing organisation, please log in to gain full access. To explore options for subscribing to this unique teaching, research, and publishing resource for Australian culture and storytelling, please contact us or find out more.

AbstractHistoryArchive Description

A Dreaming story of incest and punishment that accounts for the constellation, Orion.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Aboriginal Legends : Animal Tales A. W. Reed , Sydney : Reed , 1978 Z1479347 1978 selected work short story Indigenous story

    A selection of Aboriginal legends about animals and men collected and retold by Reed, each prefaced by a non-fiction explanation of the content of the story. This book is not intended for children, but rather presents indigenous tales for general anthropological interest.

    These stories represent a broad range of traditional stories from across the continent. Reed acknowledges in his introduction that he writes from a Western perspective, that 'they are a product of the 1970s, written by one whose skin is a different colour, and whose environment is completely foreign to that of the Aboriginals who devised [the stories].'

    Reed organises the book into chapters with short introductions:

    • Chapter One : Reptile People
    • Chapter Two : Frog People
    • Chapter Three : Tree People
    • Chapter Four : Animal People
    • Chapter Five : Flower People
    • Chapter Six : Crocodile People
    • Chapter Seven : Star People
    • Chapter Eight : Crow People
    Sydney : Reed , 1978
    pg. 91-95
  • Appears in:
    y separately published work icon Aboriginal Stories Aboriginal Stories with Word List A. W. Reed , A. W. Reed , Sydney : Reed New Holland , 1999 10965383 1999 selected work prose Indigenous story

    'Aboriginal Stories presents a collection of myths and legends gathered from various sources, representing the rich and diverse tapestry of beliefs of Aboriginal people throughout Australia. Tales range from creation myths and legends of the sun, moon and stars to legends of animals, birds, rivers, lakes and shores, as well as hero stories. In addition there are lists of Aboriginal words arranged alphabetically - English to Aboriginal and Aboriginal to English - together with a short selection of common phrases and sentences.' (Publication summary)

    Sydney : Reed New Holland , 1999
    pg. 77-83
Last amended 12 Dec 2008 09:36:33
X