My Islands, My Stories:
A Journey Through Daru and the Torres Strait
Juliana Satchell-Deo, Associate Curator Pacific
Living far from my birthplace, I've always felt a deep connection to my indigenous heritage. Nurtured by the remarkable women in my family – especially my late Abere (maternal grandmother from Torres Strait Islands and Daru Island).
A Sea Divided, a Culture Shared
The Torres Strait Islands, a chain of over a hundred islands, lie in the waterway separating the Australian mainland from Papua New Guinea. Named after Spanish explorer Luis Vaez de Torres in 1606, the islands are inhabited by vibrant and thriving communities with a rich Melanesian heritage stretching back thousands of years.
Daru Island, the capital of Papua New Guinea's Western Province, shares many similarities with the Torres Strait Islands due to their geographical proximity, inter-marriages, and shared traditions in storytelling and Ailan Kastom (Island Custom). In 1975, a political border severed what was once a united cultural landscape. Yet, the bonds of kinship and family remained strong.
Memories on the Motomoto
I vividly recall childhood journeys on our motomoto (a large Kiwai canoe built and captained by my Nogere, (maternal grandfather). We'd travel from Daru Island to visit relatives in the Torres Strait Islands. Back then, this was my entire world – a Daru and Torres Strait Islander. It was hard to imagine anything beyond this vast network of islands and stories.
As we sailed across the waves on the motomoto, Abere would weave tumbuna (ancestor) stories. She'd explain how Nogere navigated by the stars, prompting me to gaze at the ocean of lights floating above. The crackling fire in the momogo (fireplace) danced with the rhythm of the motomoto, providing a warm counterpoint to her captivating stories. She spoke and sang in Kiwai, using songs and expressive hand gestures that mimicked the fire's movements. The brave heroes and legends she described became like constellations twinkling down upon us.
Abere emphasised the importance of these stories, passed down through generations. I knew I'd carry this tradition forward, sharing them with my own children someday. Kiwai, my first language, is just one of the many diverse languages spoken across Papua New Guinea. This linguistic richness highlights the importance of Tok Pisin, a lingua franca that connects people from different cultural and geographical backgrounds.
Celebrating Tok Pisin: A Bridge Between Cultures
As we celebrate the first Papua Nuigini Tok Pisin Wik in the MPP Calendar, I want to pay homage to the rich linguistic diversity of Papua New Guinea. While we can't possibly share all 830+ languages or 1000+ dialects, we can acknowledge and celebrate Tok Pisin, a lingua franca claimed by the people of Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea utilises three main languages in government, news, and media: Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin, and English. Tok Pisin, in particular, serves as a vital tool for communication, especially in a country where neighbouring villages often speak vastly different languages.
By recognising Tok Pisin, we honour the linguistic heritage of Papua New Guinea and the power of language to connect people across cultures.
Juliana Satchell-Deo was brought up in Papua New Guinea, Australia and Fiji. She is of Kwaio, Malaita, Solomon Islands; Mer, Mabuiag and Kubin Island, Torres Strait Islands (Australia) and Daru Island, Western province (Papua New Guinea) peoples.