 A map of the Torres Strait Islands showing Mer in the north-eastern waters of Torres Strait (Kelisi, 2006) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 875 (ABS, 2016) 450 (Mer Island) 85 (Ugar Island) 328 (Erub Island) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Mer (Murray) Island · Ugar (Stephen) Island · Erub (Darnley Island) | |
| Languages | |
| Meriam Mir Language · Language family (Trans-Fly) | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity (predominantly Pentecostal and Anglican (ABS, 2016) |
Melanesian Meriam people are an Indigenous Australian group of Torres Strait Islander people who are united by a common language, strong ties of kinship and live as skilled hunter–fisher–gatherers in family groups or clans on a number of inner eastern Torres Strait Islands including Mer or Murray Island, Ugar or Stephen Island and Erub or Darnley Island.[1] The Meriam people are perhaps best known for their involvement in the High Court of Australia's Mabo decision which fundamentally changed land law in Australia - recognising native title.[2]
Although gardening takes priority, each Meriam family has sea rights, and on the reefs in front of their houses, which are mainly built above the beach, they maintain stone fish-weirs and crayfish holes.[3]
- ^ "Growing up in the Torres Strait region" (PDF). Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. 2012.
- ^ Studies, Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (24 February 2021). "The Mabo Case". aiatsis.gov.au. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ^ Bliege Bird, Rebecca; Smith, Eric; Bird, Douglas W. (1 June 2001). "The hunting handicap: costly signaling in human foraging strategies". Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology. 50 (1): 9–19. doi:10.1007/s002650100338. ISSN 1432-0762. S2CID 14940511.