Ethnic Groups of Oceania, Australia, & Antarctica

SSWF9c. Analyze the impact isolation has had on the cultural and biological development of the

regionSSWG9d. Describe the various ethnic and religious

groups; include major customs and traditions.

Aborigines

• Been in Australia 40,000 years• Primarily animists and incorporate totems– Converted to Christianity during colonization

• Folklore is called “the Dreaming” • Tie their identity to land & heritage• When a husband dies, widow is secluded and

cannot speak during the mourning period• Invented the dijeridoo

Aborigines

Aboriginal culture Assimilation of Aborigines

Maori

• Polynesian culture in New Zealand• Mix of animism & Christianity • Wedding fights (groom vs. father of bride)• Double burials • Tattoos mark passage into adulthood• Famous for dancing• Assimilated in many ways to New Zealander

culture

Maori

Maori girl Hongi greeting

Samoan

• Polynesian ethnic group in Samoan islands• Primarily Christian• Tattooing a big part of culture—primarily

geometric based on ancient designs• Traditional Samoan music are percussion

based• Greetings are based on who is involved• Traditional loincloth called lavalava

Samoan

Samoan Tattoos Traditional costumes

Papua New Guinea

• Papua New Guinea is one of the most diverse in the world with several thousand communities

• Low-scale tribal warfare for thousands of years• Major ethnic groups:– Papuans, Negritos, Dani, Iatmul, Melpa, Motu

Papua New Guinea

Traditional dress Face painting & headgear