How do Torres Strait Islander peoples use stars to understand the seasons?

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Torres Strait Islander dancer — Torres Strait Islander peoples A Torres Strait Islander boy performing a traditional dance.

Torres Strait Islander peoples possess a deep, traditional knowledge of the stars that is central to their culture and spirituality. This knowledge is closely linked to the stories of Tagai, a great fisherman and spirit being represented by a constellation in the southern sky.1

By observing the stars, Torres Strait Islander peoples gain essential information regarding seasonal changes. This celestial guidance helps them determine the appropriate times for various traditional activities, including:

Agriculture: Knowing when to plant gardens.1
Hunting: Identifying the right periods to hunt for turtles or the dugong.1
Navigation: Providing the necessary knowledge to safely circumnavigate the seas.1

This profound connection to the skies, combined with their understanding of the sea, has been vital to their way of life for thousands of years.1