The Coming of the Light is

an annual celebration for

Torres Strait Islander peoples
held on the 1st of July every
year. The celebrations recognise
the arrival of the Christian
missionaries to the Torres Strait in 1871.
The arrival of the missionaries and their religion forever changed the
lifestyle of Torres Strait Islander peoples. Prior to the arrival of the
missionaries, life in the Torres Strait involved hunting, fishing,
gardening and trading. The various groups of the Torres Strait
interacted regularly to trade and find wives.
Life on the Island revolved around protecting the resources the
community had. The interaction between the island clans was often
violent, and inter-island warfare was common. Pearl harvesting
began in 1870 and resulted in people from all parts of the world
moving to the Islands to work. People came from the Pacific
Islands, Singapore, the Philippines, Europe, Indonesia and Japan to
dive for and sell pearls. The missions arrived shortly after the
increase in pearl divers. Arriving on the 1st of July, 1871 the
missionaries came to Erub Island, the most westerly Island of the
Torres Strait, to spread the word of their God.
Recent Christian converts from the Pacific Island nation of New
Caledonia came with the missionaries to help spread the Christian
religion. The missionaries brought a call for peace and an end to
inter-island warfare. The Torres Strait Islander peoples welcomed
and accepted the Christian religion, in part because it was similar to
traditional values and beliefs.
By the end of the nineteenth century, a large portion of Torres
Strait Islander peoples identified as being Christian. The church
offered protection and quickly became an important part of Island
life, taking responsibility for education and the wellbeing of the
people. The church encouraged Torres Strait Islander peoples to sing
hymns in their local language and perform dances as part of
church ceremonies. The Island Chiefs remained important and
supported the role of the church. Each year the arrival of the
Christian missionaries is celebrated with food, dancing and prayers.
http://www.mabonativetitle.com/mer_24.shtml#Info




Based on the information in the source, infer (predict) the impacts of the
missionaries on the culture of Torres Strait Islander peoples. Record your
answers in the diagram below.






To infer is to predict.
Based on what you
know, what could
happen?



The coming of the light is.
Impacts of culture
Impacts of people
Other Impacts