A group consisting of 20 musicians and dancers from the Torres Strait Islands, located between Australia and Papua New Guinea, recently completed a tour of Fiji. The ensemble was scheduled to perform traditional dances in various urban and village centers in Lautoka as part of a 15-day itinerary, as reported in an article from The Fiji Times.
During their visit, the group also made appearances in Nadi, Sigatoka, Suva, Korovou, Tailevu, Viria, Vunidawa, Ovalau, Rakiraki, and Tavua. This tour was organized by the Ministry of Fijian Affairs in conjunction with the Australian High Commission in Suva and the Fiji Arts Council.
This journey to Fiji was part of a broader tour that included New Zealand, Hawaii, and the West Coast of the United States. The Torres Strait islanders specifically requested this visit to immerse themselves in Fijian culture and to live in local villages, facilitating an exchange of dance traditions.
The initiative to share their songs and dances internationally originated with the islanders, who collectively invested their personal resources to bring the tour to fruition. The project later received backing from the Australian Government through the Aboriginal Arts Board of Australia.
The people of the Torres Strait Islands predominantly share Melanesian heritage, with influences from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Approximately 2000 years ago, they migrated to the area from Melanesia, drawn by the region’s rich fishing opportunities and strategic position for inter-island trade. They have maintained a strong sense of independence and are recognized as Australian citizens.
In the last two centuries, the Torres Strait islanders have gained global recognition for their skills as deep-sea divers, establishing significant industries in natural pearls and trochus shells. However, these industries have seen a decline over the past 20 years due to the rise of synthetic alternatives, leading to a considerable migration of people from the islands to the Australian mainland.
This movement has resulted in many traditional dances and cultural practices losing their social significance, and numerous community members are no longer proficient in their native languages.