Culture of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands
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Although it is an Australian External Territory, the culture of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands has extensive influences from Malaysia and Indonesia.
Background
[edit]Languages, traditions, religious holidays, cuisine and customs have all been heavily influenced by the islands' large Cocos Malay population. Many of these islanders trace their descent from the original planation workers brought to the island by John Clunies-Ross. During much of their habitation, the islands were isolated, leading to the development of a unique culture derived from Malay and Islamic traditions.[1]
When the Islands were fully integrated into Australia in 1984, it was introduced to the customs and culture of Mainland Australia, practiced predominantly by the ethnically European Australians who inhabit West Island.[citation needed]
All Islanders are governed by Australian law. Language, gazetted holidays, education, media and cuisine are also influenced by mainland Australia.
Art and traditional crafts
[edit]The Islands have a strong history of art and traditional crafts influenced by Cocos Malay traditions and Australian surf culture. The Islands' tourism office encourages visitors to try their hand at traditional basket weaving and "learn about traditional jukong (boat) building".[2]
Museums
[edit]On Home Island, residents have established a museum dedicated to the Islands' former copra industry and an art gallery, The Big Barge Art Centre, which sells traditional artworks, modern paintings and photographic works and hosts art workshops for tourists.[3]
The Pulu Cocos Museum was established in 1987, in recognition of the fact that the distinct culture of Home Island needed formal preservation.[4][5] The site includes the displays on local culture and traditions, as well as the early history of the islands and their ownership by the Clunies-Ross family.[6][7] The museum also includes displays on military and naval history, as well as local botanical and zoological items.[8]
Religion
[edit]In the 2016 census, 75% of the population was Muslim.[9] Eid AlFitr (at the end of Ramadan) remains the Islands' "biggest event" of the year.[2]
The majority of the remaining population consider themselves non-religious (13.4%) with small Christian including Anglican (3.5%) and Catholic (1.5%). 6.5% of the population chose not to state their religion.[9]
Holidays
[edit]On April 6 of each year, the Islanders celebrate Self-Determination Day, marking the date in which they voted for full integration into Australia.[10]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Services, Regional. "Cocos Islands environment and heritage". www.regional.gov.au. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- ^ a b "Cocos (Keeling) Islands - cultural experiences". Archived from the original on 17 August 2013. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
- ^ "Cocos (Keeling) Islands - The Big Barge Art Centre". Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
- ^ Conference, Museums Australia National (1997). Unlocking Museums: The Proceedings : 4th National Conference of Museums Australia Inc. Museums Australia. ISBN 978-0-949069-23-8.
- ^ "Cocos (Keeling) Islands Shadow Puppets". Australia Post Collectables. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Home Island | Cocos Keeling Islands". www.cocoskeelingislands.com.au. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ RACWA. "Things To Do on Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling Islands | RAC WA". RAC WA - For a better WA. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ "Cocos Museum". Commonwealth Walkway Trust. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ a b Australian Bureau of Statistics (27 June 2017). "Cocos (Keeling) Islands". 2016 Census QuickStats. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
- ^ Wynne, Emma (6 April 2019). "There was trouble in paradise until Cocos Islanders changed their destiny". ABC News. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
Further reading
[edit]- The Cocos (Keeling) Islands: Australian atolls in the Indian Ocean by Pauline Bunce (Jacaranda Press, 1988)
- Local Economic and Employment Development Culture and Local Development by the OECD (OECD Publishing, 2005)
