Traditional Markets

Discover traditional markets, bartering, and unique Indigenous Australian economies. Learn about songlines and businesses!

Learning Intention and Success Criteria Learning Intention: To understand markets and market typesTo understand traditional marketsTo understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander marketsSuccess Criteria: I can identify and describe different market typesI can identify the differences between traditional and modern market typesI can describe and identify the characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander markets. What are Traditional Markets? Traditional markets are where societies only produce and consume what they need, rather than what they want. When they don’t have what they need - they exchange or barter. This type of economy was used all around the world. Eventually currency was developed and used instead of swapping needed items. Some areas of the world still barter today.Within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities what was gathered (goods) was for the needs of the entire group. Responsibility to care for country and all connections to it meant that Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples only collected, hunted and harvested what was needed to meet their needs at that particular time. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples began to trade when they had needs that couldn't be fulfilled, and when others had excess supplies.When Europeans arrived to Australia, Indigenous people struggled to fit in with the British economy. The British economy revolved around the purchasing of goods and services with currency, which was new concept for Indigenous Australians. Over time, the amount of Indigenous Australians participating in the modern economy has grown, while traditional economies and bartering still exist in remote areas of Australia. Traditional Markets Watch the video to learn about traditional economies.If you need a transcript for this video, click on the link below to access the full youtube site. Click on the three dots symbol underneath the video on the site. Songline Trade Routes Songline Trade Routes explained: Evidence shows that Indigenous Australians traded all over the continent. These trade routes followed songlines and dreaming tracks. (paths dictated by dreamings and ancestors). Types of goods exchanged Bartering, or exchanging goods between groups (in Traditional Markets) was important because it: built relationships between neighbouring peoples provided avenues for settling disputes between groups provided opportunities for meeting to discuss Dreaming laws provided opportunities for sharing gifts of respect. Modern Indigenous Businesses Use this website, to help you answer the following questions about Indigenous Businesses: What is the definition of an Aboriginal Owned and Controlled Business?2. Name 4 characteristics of an Indigenous Business3. Describe how Uluru Tjuta has become a successful Indigenous Australian Business Modern Indigenous Businesses Find 5 Indigenous Australian Businesses, and enter links to their business below.