ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Songlines (Alphaville video)

So, imagine you are in a big, big place like a desert or a forest. In this place, there are no street signs or maps to show you where to go. But people who live there have special songs that they sing to remember how to find their way around. These special songs are called "songlines"!

Now, let's say you want to go from your house to your friend's house. You would have to sing a special song that would help you remember which way to go. This song would tell you to follow the big tree, turn right at the rock, and go straight ahead until you see the river. Then, you know you are close to your friend's house.

People who have been living in these big places for a long time know many, many songs like this. They use them to find food and water, to travel safely and to meet other people. These songs are so important to them that they even have special ceremonies where they sing them and pass them down to younger generations.

So, songlines are like a special map that people in big, empty places use to find their way around. People sing these songs to remember how to get to different places and to share their knowledge with others. It's a really cool and important part of their culture!