Meriam History

"Mer Island is the birthplace of the deep Meriam spirituality that was renowned and revered across the Torres Strait region. Pilgrimages to Mer to worship and celebrate the spiritual power of Malo, happened over many centuries and is evident in the ceremonial songs and dancing. Cultures from the far extremes of the region came and offered gifts in songs, dances and dance implements. Masks and ornaments were traded into both mainlands, to the north and to the south.

 

Christianity invaded the region in 1871 and deemed the culture and spiritual practices and heathen and demonic, labelling its Christian arrival as the “Coming of the Light”" Charles Passi, February 2022.