A group of 20 musicians and dancers from the Torres Strait Islands, located between Australia and Papua New Guinea, recently embarked on a tour of Fiji. A report from March 2, 1983, stated that their 15-day tour was scheduled to showcase ancient dances in urban and village centers in Lautoka, among other locations.
Throughout their visit, the troupe performed in various places including Nadi, Sigatoka, Suva, Korovou, Tailevu, Viria, Vunidawa, Ovalau, Rakiraki, and Tavua. The tour was organized by the Ministry of Fijian Affairs and the Australian High Commission in Suva, in cooperation with the Fiji Arts Council.
This Fiji visit was part of a broader journey that included New Zealand, Hawaii, and the West Coast of the United States. The Torres Strait islanders specifically requested the Fiji tour to immerse themselves in Fijian culture and to stay in villages where they could exchange experiences related to traditional dance.
The initiative to take their cultural expressions overseas came from the islanders themselves, each contributing their personal savings to finance the tour. Subsequently, the Australian Government provided support through the Aboriginal Arts Board of Australia.
The people of the Torres Strait Islands are primarily of Melanesian descent, with influences from the Philippines, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. Their migration to the region occurred around 2000 years ago, driven by the area’s rich fishing resources and its strategic location for trading between islands.
Historically, the Torres Strait Islanders have been known for their independence as well as their success in deep-sea diving, which led to thriving industries in natural pearls and trochus shells. However, over the last two decades, these industries have faced decline due to the rise of synthetic alternatives, prompting many islanders to move to the Australian mainland.
As a result of this migration, many traditional dances and cultural practices have lost their significance, and a number of Torres Strait Islanders have become unable to speak their native languages.