Stepping off the ferry from Seisia onto Thursday Island reveals a complex history of migration and cultural exchange. While the origins of the island’s residents may not be immediately apparent, a performance by Island Star Cultural Experience’s Joey Laifoo and his dance troupe quickly illuminates the diverse heritage of the Torres Strait.
Cultural connections and ancestry
The troupe’s performances weave together the importance of fishing and pearling with observations of the natural world – the shark’s feeding patterns, wind direction and dragonfly appearances – to mark the changing seasons. Songs also recount family histories, clan totems like stingrays, snakes, and crocodiles, and ancestral origins.
“I was born here on Waiben,” Joey Laifoo explains, using the Kawrareg name for Thursday Island, “But I grew up on Badu. Others have ancestry from Malaysia, Japan, China and Indonesia, or they have Aboriginal heritage from the mainland.”
A multicultural Strait
The islands’ long history as a crossroads has resulted in a uniquely blended population. Family trees reflect this, with Indonesian and Aboriginal ancestry frequently intertwined. This is unsurprising given the islands’ proximity to Papua New Guinea – a mere four-hour journey by boat – and their historical role as a waypoint on seafaring trade routes to Asia, and Europe.
A legacy of pearling
Christine Connor, a resident of Thursday Island with mixed Aboriginal and Islander heritage, notes that “Just about anyone who lives on the island has a multicultural background and a history in pearl diving.” She operates Peddells, the ferry service to the island, and guides tours highlighting the island’s history.
One stop on the tour is Green Hill Fort, constructed in 1891 due to fears of a Russian naval attack. While that threat never materialized, Japanese pearl divers soon arrived. At one point, the Torres Strait supplied half the world’s pearl shell, with many divers originating from Japan.
Echoes of the pearling era
By the late 19th century, as pearl shells were used for shirt buttons, some 200 pearling vessels anchored off the island. The legacy of these divers is visible in the island’s cemetery, where the graves of approximately 700 Japanese divers are located among frangipani and eucalyptus trees.
Friday Island and the art of cultured pearls
On Friday Island, Takami Kazu has been culturing pearls since 1985. He demonstrates the intricate process of seeding oysters, using specialized tools to implant a shell fragment in hopes of creating a valuable pearl. Despite pearl farming being a declining art, Kazu mentors two Japanese university students, who also assist with hospitality and fishing.
War history and resilience
Thursday Island was spared bombing during World War II, unlike neighboring Horn Island, which endured eight Japanese air raids. Bunkers and remnants of artillery remain on Horn Island, a testament to its role as a key defense base with 5,000 soldiers.
The ebb and flow of people – arrivals and departures – has long defined the Torres Strait.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the name Waiben?
Waiben is the Kawrareg name for Thursday Island.
What role did pearl diving play in the history of the Torres Strait?
At one point, the Torres Strait supplied half the world’s pearl shell, attracting divers from Japan and contributing to the multicultural makeup of the islands.
What is the connection between the Torres Strait and Papua New Guinea?
Papua New Guinea is a mere four-hour journey by boat and was once connected to the Australian mainland.
Considering the rich history and diverse cultural influences of the Torres Strait, how might these factors shape the region’s future identity and development?
