Torres Strait Islanders
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Torres Strait Islanders are the indigenous people of the Torres Strait Islands, part of Queensland, Australia. They are Melanesians culturally akin to the coastal peoples of Papua New Guinea. They are regarded as being distinct from other Aboriginal peoples of the rest of Australia, and are generally referred to separately. There are also two Torres Strait Islander communities on the nearby coast of the mainland at Bamaga and Seisia.
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[edit] Population
There are 6,800 Torres Strait Islanders who live in the area of the Torres Strait, and 42,000 others who live outside of this area, mostly in the north of Queensland, particularly in Townsville and Cairns. [1]
[edit] Culture
The indigenous people of the Torres Strait have a distinct culture which has developed with influences from the islands which they live. They are a sea-faring people, and engaged in trade with peoples of New Guinea. Like the indigenous peoples of mainland Australia, the islanders were hunter gatherers; however, they were unique in that they grew crops and farmed the land.
[edit] Languages
Kalaw Lagaw Ya, Kalau Kawau Ya, Kulkalgau Ya and Kawalgau Ya, which are all dialects of each other, are spoken in the western, northern and central islands. These are related to Aboriginal languages. Meriam Mir, related to Papuan languages, is spoken on the eastern islands. [2]
[edit] Notable islanders
Famous Torres Strait Islanders include
- Eddie Mabo
- Christine Anu
- Seaman Dan
- Wendell Sailor
- Sam Thaiday - Brisbane Broncos second rower
- Brent Webb - New Zealand Warriors and Kiwis fullback
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Australia Now. Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
- ^ Torres Strait Islanders. Fact Sheets. Australian Government Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Retrieved on 2006-12-10.
