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How did Christianity influence Torres Strait Islander communities in the late 1800s?
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Torres Strait Islander peoples
A Torres Strait Islander boy performing a traditional dance.
The arrival of the London Missionary Society on the island of Erub in 1871 marked a turning point for Torres Strait Islander communities, profoundly influencing their customs and way of life.12
The adoption of Christianity throughout the late 19th century had several significant effects:
- Conflict Resolution: The spread of the religion is widely considered to have ended conflicts between different island groups.12
- Protection: It is thought to have provided a measure of protection for the communities against exploitation by foreign interests involved in the pearling and bèche-de-mer fishing industries.12
- Cultural Shift: The presence of missionaries, alongside the influx of foreign workers and the colonial government's annexation of the islands, significantly altered traditional culture, law, and society.2
Despite these influences, conversion did not fully shield the people from colonial impact, as they lost their landowning rights following the full annexation of the islands by the Queensland government in 1879. Today, the arrival of these missionaries is commemorated annually on July 1 by Torres Strait Islander peoples during the Coming of the Light Festival.12