ABSTRACT
INDIGENOUS TRADITIONS OF OCEANIA AND AUSTRALASIA Oceania extends over a wide region that
encompasses Australia and the Pacific
Ocean with the cultural and geo-
graphical groups of Melanesia, Poly-
nesia and Micronesia. The diversity of
the ecology across this vast region is
only rivalled by the diversity and variety
of the religions, languages and cultures
that the area embraces. Within each of
these regions of Oceania, however, there
are cultural commonalities and a high
degree of consistency that allow us to
place them within the major categories
listed. The social structure, economy
and relationship to the land are reflected
in the beliefs and practices, the myths
and legends, and in the political organi-
zations that range from egalitarianism
to hereditary chiefdoms. Christianity is a pervasive force
throughout the entire region, dating
back to its introduction by missionaries
in the early 1800s, but while Christianity
has strongly shaped the traditional indi-
genous beliefs and practices, it has also
been influenced somewhat by them,
resulting in some innovative and sur-
prising results in certain pockets. There
have also been Islamic influences in pla-
ces such as Irian Jaya, resulting from
Muslim immigration from Indonesia
and beyond; and Fiji has a large number
of Hindus, mostly owing to British-
sponsored immigration of Indians to
work in the sugar industry from the nineteenth century onwards. Other,
more modern, Western influences that
have contributed to change are those
that have occurred through the emer-
gence of new religious movements. Aus-
tralia’s emphasis on multiculturalism,
and an increase in the numbers of peo-
ple from other countries, together with
the ease of passage between countries
and Australians’ love of travel, has all
led to an enriched and diverse approach
to religion in this country. Indeed, Bud-
dhism is one of the fastest growing reli-
gions in Australia, and many more
Australians are seeking alternatives to
the mainstream religions. While some
indigenous Australians have been attrac-
ted to some of the alternative spir-
itualities, the majority of indigenous Australians declare themselves to be
either Christian or traditionalists.
