Australian & Pacific Island Cultures

Customs and Culture

• Australian and Pacific Island cultures are a mix of traditional Polynesian island cultures and Western influences.
• Religions in the Pacific Islands combine native animistic beliefs with Christian ones.
• Western settlers have had a significant impact on cultures and populations in many places.

Australia and New Zealand

• Both countries have large populations originating from the United Kingdom.
• They have been independent long enough to have distinct cultures, but Western influences remain.
• Their governmental systems are based on the UK's parliamentary system, and they are officially constitutional monarchies.
• Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom remains on their currency.
• They share similarities in sports, humor, and cultural practices with British culture.

Native Influences

• Australian Aborigines and New Zealand's Maori have influenced the cultures of their respective countries.
• Australian art often features the outback and romanticizes it.
• New Zealand incorporates Maori languages and ceremonies in national anthems and greetings.

Unique Features

• Australia and New Zealand have unique animal and plant species, which contribute to their national identity.
• Symbols of Australia include kangaroos, koalas, and dingos, while kiwis and wetas are symbols of New Zealand.

Hawai'i and the Pacific Islands

• Hawai'i is heavily Western-influenced, with a significant impact from the United States.
• Culturally, Hawai'i is a mix of American and native Hawaiian culture.
• Other Pacific Islands are less Western-influenced and have majority native populations.
• Each island has its own distinct culture, with people generally living relaxed and slow-paced lives.

Language and Ethnicity

• Australian ethnicity is largely European (60% of population), with a significant British component (55%).
• Only 3% of Australia's population are indigenous, with 500 tribes and 250-300 languages spoken in 600 dialects.
• English is the majority language, but Australian slang is distinct and includes words like bonzer, strewth, and g'day.
• New Zealand has a larger native population (15%) and its own slang, with a stronger overlap with British slang.

Polynesian Triangle

• The Polynesian triangle is home to two main cultural groups: West Polynesia and East Polynesia.
• Western Polynesian cultures have dense populations, strong importance placed on marriages, and strong legal and trading systems.
• Eastern Polynesian cultures are more accustomed to smaller populations and islands.
• The Maori originate in Eastern Polynesian cultures.
• Polynesian languages are distinctive for their similar vowel sounds and use of apostrophes for glottal stops.

Micronesia and Melanesia

• Micronesia has five ethnic groups, all related to a larger Micronesian ethnicity.
• Micronesians are related to Filipinos, Polynesians, and Melanesians.
• Melanesia contains mostly native populations of the area.