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Who is Tagai in Torres Strait Islander spiritual beliefs?
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Torres Strait Islander peoples
A Torres Strait Islander boy performing a traditional dance.
In the spiritual beliefs of Torres Strait Islander peoples, Tagai is a great fisherman and spirit being who is believed to have created the world. He is represented in the southern sky by a constellation of stars.
Tagai serves as a foundational figure whose stories shape the laws, customs, and practices of Torres Strait Islander communities. By observing the stars associated with Tagai, the people gain essential knowledge for navigating the seas and managing the natural environment, including guidance on seasonal changes, the timing for planting gardens, and the appropriate periods for hunting dugong and other marine life.1