torresstraitislandersculture

In 1871 on 1 July representatives from the London Missionary Society arrived on Erub Island (Darnley Island) accompanied by South Sea Islander evangelists and teachers. Clan Elder and Warrior, Dabad greeted them on their arrival. Ready to defend his land and people Dabad walked to the water’s edge when the Rev Samuel McFarlane dropped to his knees and presented The Bible to Dabad. Dabad accepted the gift, interpreted as the ‘Light’, introducing Christianity to the Torres Strait Islands. The people of the Torres Strait Islands adopted the Christian rituals and ceremonies and continued to uphold their connection to the land, sea and sky, practicing their traditional customs, and cultural identity referred to as ‘Ailan Kastom.’ Each year on 1 July, ‘The Coming of the Light’ or ‘Keriba Lagaw Buiya’ in traditional language is a day of celebration, performance, oral tradition and reverence. Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/coming-light-celebrating-150-year...

Yorke Island (traditionally known as Masig) is a coral cay situated in the Eastern area of the central island group in the Torres Strait, 2.7km in length and 800m at its widest point. The people of Yorke Island are skilled navigators with a detailed knowledge of the reefs and have always occupied a central position in the Straits trading networks. Source: www.tsirc.qld.gov.au/communities/masig

Church of St John the Evangelist (built 1924), Masig Island (aka Yorke Island), Torres Strait, Queensland, Source: www.alamy.com/stock-photo-church-of-st-john-the-evangelis...

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The All Saints Anglican Church on Erub dates from 1919. It was constructed below the site of the original London Missionary Society Mission, house and school using local materials, including lime produced from burnt coral as well as basalt. Sited as it is, close to the location of these early mission buildings, ensures that it has a close link to the island’s history. The church building itself has changed and evolved over the years but has long been an important landmark on the island. The church was originally built under the guidance and direction of a local island man, Manai, assisted by a South Sea Islander man named Albert Ware. It underwent significant remodeling in 1963, the roofline was raised and internal walls were extended. Similar to when it was first built, local limestone from the surrounding reefs was used in this work. Erosion has been an ongoing problem for the building, necessitating the construction of a protective stone sea wall, in the mid-1970s, as a means of protecting the church from the effects of strong tides. All Saints is an important reminder of missionary activity in the Torres Strait and has always had a central role in the annual July 1 “Coming of the Light” celebrations, when islanders and others commemorate the arrival of the London Missionary Society in 1871. Acknowledging its importance to Queensland’s history, the All Saints Anglican Church is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and survives as an important and prominent landmark in Erub’s built environment. Brian Randall - Senior Librarian, State Library of Queensland Source: www.slq.qld.gov.au/blog/queensland-places-all-saints-angl...