The Aboriginal Australians are the various indigenous nationals who reside in the Australian mainland and many of its islands. People with ancestors who lived in Australia before British colonisation qualify as Aborigines. 
Indigenous inhabitants of Tasmania are one such example Three percent of the Australian population are, or have descended from the Aborigine people.
The Aborigine people
The ancestors of present-day Aborigine people migrated from South East Asia by sea, during the Pleistocene era, that is 11,700 to 2.5 million years ago.
They lived over large sections of the Australian continental plate when the sea levels were lower. During that time, Australia, Tasmania, and Papua New Guinea were part of the same landmass, known as Sahul.
Most Aboriginal people speak English, with Aboriginal phrases and words added to create Australian Aboriginal English (AAE). Aboriginal languages have a notable influence on AAE. Some Aboriginal people, speak both AAE and Aboriginal languages.
Before Europeans settled in Australia , there were over 250 Aboriginal languages. But now, many of them are endangered or not used at all. However, the Australians are making some efforts at reviving these languages.
In 2016, children learnt only 13 traditional Indigenous languages, and about another 100 or so were spoken by the older generations only.
Knowledge
In Aboriginal communities, elders of the tribe share knowledge and make decisions. Travellers had to seek elder recognition and acknowledge local elders - this happens even today at public events in Australia. 
Within the Aboriginal belief systems, a formative epoch (period of time) known as the ’Dreaming’ stretches back into the past when the creator ancestors known as the 'First People travelled across Australia and named objects as they went. The Torres Strait Islanders, who are also indigenous Australians, have their own traditional belief systems.
Some share beliefs similar to the Aboriginal concept of 'Dreamtime,' passed down in oral heistory.
Religion and culture
Christianity and European culture have had a significant impact on Aboriginal religion and culture.
As in many colonial situations, the churches facilitated both the loss as well as the maintenance of indigenous culture and religion. German missionaries went to Adelaide, Australia during the 1800s and taught Aboriginal children. Some of the other missionaries taught only in English.
Aboriginal art
Stone art (rock paintings), rock arrangements, jewellery, and wood art are a huge part of Aboriginal art.
There was no written language for Australian Aborigines before European colonisation and to convey their important cultural stories through the generations, it was portrayed through their art. Indigenous art is centered on story telling. So, it is imperative to pass on information to preserve their culture.
Dinara Hettiarachchi,
Grade 8,
Ananda College,
Colombo 10