Pasifika diaspora connectivity and continuity with Pacific homelands

Material culture and spatial behaviour in Brisbane

Bibliographic Data

ID19003097
AuthorsRuth Faleolo (0000-0003-0074-0490, Aboriginal Environments Research Centre School of Architecture, and the Institute for Social Science Research Life Course Centre University of Queensland Brisbane Australia, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume31
Issue1
Pages66-84
Publication date2020-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Australian Journal of Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1035-8811 • E-ISSN: 1757-6547
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/taja.12348
OpenAlexW3028051567
LanguageEN
Citations received13
References cited30

This paper presents an interesting discussion and analysis of Pasifika (specifically Tongan and Samoan) migrants in Brisbane, and the diverse adaptive cultural practices they use to promote a sense of wellbeing and cultural continuity in diaspora contexts. Pacific Island migrant perspectives of wellbeing and worldviews are linked to their spatial behaviour and material cultural adaptations within places like Brisbane. The characteristics of the Brisbane urban landscape create the material cultural adaptations that have been observed in diaspora contexts, including places of dwelling, community and church gatherings. They are commonly displayed during family or community events, in both private and public spaces. In order to understand the significance of material cultural adaptations we must also consider the underpinnings of the materials and templates used within context. Preliminary qualitative findings have been drawn from a wider‐scale research project that has explored Pasifika migrants (of Samoan and Tongan descent) perceptions and experiences of wellbeing during 2015‒2018. This inquiry has rendered significant evidence of cultural values and identity elements originating from Samoa and Tonga and retained by generations of Brisbane‐based Pacific Islanders, through adapted material culture and shared spatial behaviour

Aesthetics · Archaeology · Cultural identity · Diaspora · Ethnic group · Geography · Pacific islanders · Samoan · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Climate Change, Adaptation, Migration · Gender Studies · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Migration, Aging, and Tourism Studies

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