Torres Strait Islanders

Torres Strait Islanders are one of the two main Indigenous groups of Australia, along with Aboriginal Australians. They come from the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland. Though they share a home country with Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islanders have their own unique culture and history.

Today, many Torres Strait Islander people live on the Australian mainland, but their roots are in the islands. They are part of the broader group known as Indigenous Australians. There are five main groups of Torres Strait Islanders, with different languages and traditions. Two big language groups are Kalaw Lagaw Ya and Meriam Mir, and Yumplatok is used often in trade.

The culture of Torres Strait Islanders is rich and strong, especially in art. They are known for their skills in sculpture, printmaking, and making masks. Historically, they were skilled seafarers, and their culture has deep ties to the sea and the Papuan traditions of the region.

Demographics

The Torres Strait Islands are home to a unique cultural group. Of the 133 islands, only 38 are inhabited. According to the 2021 Australian census, 4,124 people lived on the islands, with most identifying as Torres Strait Islander or Aboriginal Australian.

Many Torres Strait Islanders now live on mainland Australia, particularly in five communities in northern Queensland. This movement has made the islands and nearby areas a mix of different cultures and traditions.

Administration

Further information: Torres Strait Islands § Administration

For a long time, Torres Strait Islanders were governed by elected councils, which mixed traditional customs with systems brought by Christian missions. Today, the Torres Strait Regional Authority manages the islands. This group, created in 1994 by the Australian government, has 20 elected members who work to improve the lives of the Torres Strait Islander people.

There are also local government areas in Queensland that help manage Torres Strait Islander communities. These include the Torres Strait Island Region, the Northern Peninsula Area Region based in Bamaga, and the Shire of Torres, which also looks after parts of the Cape York Peninsula.

Ethnicity

Further information: History of Indigenous Australians

Torres Strait Islander people are mainly of Melanesian descent. They are different from Aboriginal Australians on the mainland and share some traditions with people from Papua New Guinea.

The Torres Strait Islands have five main groups, each with its own culture and language. These groups live in different parts of the islands and have strong ties to their land and sea. The five-pointed star on the national flag stands for these five groups.

Languages

Main article: Torres Strait Island languages

Torres Strait Islanders speak two main Indigenous languages. The Western-central Torres Strait Language, also called Kalaw Lagaw Ya, is used on many of the islands in the southwest, west, north, and center. It belongs to the larger Pama-Nyungan language family of Australia. Another language, Meriam Mir, is spoken on the eastern islands and is part of the Eastern Trans-Fly languages, which also include languages from Papua New Guinea.

In addition to these two languages, many people also speak Torres Strait Creole, a creole language based on English.

Culture

The Torres Strait Islanders have a rich culture that mixes Papuo-Austronesian roots with their own unique traditions. They have historically been skilled farmers, hunters, and gatherers, relying on dugong, turtles, crayfish, and other sea foods, which remain important today. Their culture is deeply connected to the sea, and this is reflected in their stories, art, and ceremonies.

After colonisation, Christianity became a major influence, changing some traditional practices. However, there has been a revival of interest in traditional arts and stories, especially through dance, song, weaving, and woodcarving. Torres Strait Islander art often features animals like turtles, fish, and dugongs, and includes special masks and headdresses for ceremonies. Music and dance are central to their culture, with songs and dances telling stories of their history, myths, and life on the islands. Sports, especially rugby league and basketball, are also very popular and bring communities together.

Religion and beliefs

The Torres Strait Islanders have their own traditional belief systems. Stories of the Tagai describe their connection to the sea and the stars, with everything having its place in the world. They follow the teachings of the Tagai.

From the 1870s, Christianity spread through the islands, brought by missionaries. The event is called "The Coming of the Light" and is celebrated each year on July 1. Even with Christianity, the people kept their traditional customs and beliefs, blending them with their new religion. Many Torres Strait Islanders still practice Christian faiths today.

Traditional adoptions

Torres Strait Islanders have a traditional practice called kupai omasker, where a child can be adopted by a relative or community member. This adoption might happen for different reasons, such as needing someone to care for land or to help maintain family relationships across generations.

In the past, Queensland law did not recognize this practice, meaning adopted children could not take their adoptive parents' surname. However, in 2020, the Queensland Government passed a law called the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa Act 2020 to legally recognize this important cultural tradition.

Notable people

Torres Strait Islanders have made significant contributions in many areas. In activism, Eddie Koiki Mabo was a key figure in land rights campaigns. In the arts, Christine Anu is a well-known pop singer. In education, Martin Nakata was the first Torres Strait Islander to earn a PhD.

In sports, many Torres Strait Islanders have excelled. Patty Mills won an NBA championship, and Alex Johnston plays in the Australian National Rugby League. In politics, Cynthia Lui was the first Torres Strait Islander elected to the Parliament of Queensland.