Torres Strait Islanders
From NativeWiki
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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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. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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 Papua New Guinea. Unlike the indigenous peoples of mainland Australia, the islanders were agriculturalists although they supplemented their food supplies through hunting and gathering.
Languages
Template:Main 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. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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
- The Mills Sisters
- Martin Nakata [1]
See also
