Oceania Origins The history and culture of Oceania

Oceania

Origins • The history and culture of Oceania are not strongly linked to the Asian mainland. • Although civilization (urban life) never emerged among these islands (prior to the modern age), they were governed by various rich non-urban cultures.

Oceania • Oceania is the name for the vast, islanddotted swath of the Pacific that lies beyond maritime Southeast Asia

Early Life on Oceania • While hunter-gatherer life (especially fishing) and agriculture were both practiced in the three island regions, Australia retained a purely hunter-gatherer lifestyle. 3

First Migrations • Oceania was colonized by waves of migration from Southeast Asia during the Paleolithic era, colonizing Melanesia and Australia.

Maori People • The native peoples of Melanesia and Australia are dark-skinned, while the peoples of Micronesia and Polynesia are generally lighter in complexion. • • “Mela” means dark “Poly” means many “Macro” means large “Micro” means small

Modern Oceania • Captain James cook led expeditions to Oceania from 1768 -1771. • Most islands were seized as colonies • European diseases reduce the native population and many natives were forced into slavery.

Australia • 1778 a British sent fleet to make Australia a Became British penal colony (Prison)

WWII • The allies fought against the Japanese in Australia WWII. • Most of the islands received independence during age of decolonization 19451980’s.

Travel • The Maori used raft boats to travel through Polynesia. • These people traveled to Madagascar bringing bananas to Africa.