List of contemporary ethnic groups of Oceania

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The following is a list of contemporary ethnic groups of Oceania. There has been constant debate over the classification of ethnic groups. Membership of an ethnic group tends to be associated with shared ancestry, history, homeland, language or dialect and cultural heritage; where the term "culture" specifically includes aspects such as religion, mythology and ritual, cuisine, dressing (clothing) style and other factors.

Contents

By the nature of the concept, ethnic groups tend to be divided into subgroups, may themselves be or not be identified as independent ethnic groups depending on the source consulted.

Oceania here is considered to be approximately delimited from Asia by the Weber Line in Wallacea located west of the Indonesian islands of Maluku (except for the Sula Archipelago and Barat Daya); from North America by the portion of the North Pacific Ocean east of the Hawaiian Islands, Clipperton Island, and Cocos Island; and from South America by the East Pacific Rise connecting the Pacific and Nazca Plates as well as by its intersection with the Chile Ridge at the Easter Microplate.

Ethnic groups

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by editing the page to add missing items, with references to reliable sources.

The following groups are commonly identified as "ethnic groups", as opposed to ethno-linguistic phyla, national groups, racial groups or similar. [1] [2]

EthnicityLanguage(s)Primary homelandSubgroups, tribes & castesReligion(s)
Abelam Sepik → Ndu → Abelam Papua New Guinea (East Sepik)Maprik (Northern Abelam), Wosera (Southern Abelam)Christianity
Ambonese Austronesian → Malayic → Ambonese Malay Indonesia (Ambon Island)Christianity → Protestantism → Calvinism
Amung Uhunduni languages [note 1] Indonesia (Mimika, Puncak)Christianity
Anglo-Celtic Australians Indo-European → Germanic → English → Australian English Australia New South Welsh, Victorians, Queenslanders, Western Australians, South Australians, Tasmanians, Canberrans, Territorians Christianity
Anglo-New Zealanders Indo-European → Germanic → English → New Zealand English New Zealand North Islanders, South Islanders, Stewart Islanders, Chatham Islanders Christianity → Protestantism → Anglicanism
Angu Trans-New Guinea → Angan [note 1] Papua New Guinea (Kratke Range) Animism
Anindilyakwa East Arnhem → Anindilyakwa–Nunggubuyu → Anindilyakwa Australia (Groote Eylandt, Bickerton Island) Animism
Antakirinja Pama-Nyungan → Wati → Antakarinya Australia (South Australia) Animism
Anuta Austronesian → Polynesian → Anuta Solomon Islands (Anuta)Christianity
Arrernte Pama-Nyungan → Arandic → Arrernte Australia (Arrernte Land) Alcheringa
Asmat Trans–New Guinea → Asmat–Kamrau → Asmat [note 1] Indonesia (South Papua)Christianity
Austral Islanders Austronesian → Polynesian → Austral France (Austral Islands)Christianity
Baining Baining languages [note 1] Papua New Guinea (Gazelle Peninsula) Kairak, Mali, Qaqet, Simbali, Ura Christianity, Pomio Kivung
Banabans Austronesian → Micronesian → Gilbertese; historically Austronesian → Micronesian → Banaban Kiribati (Banaba), Fiji (Rabi Island)Christianity
Bandanese Austronesian → Malayic → Banda Malay
Austronesian → Central Maluku → Banda 		Indonesia (Banda Islands)Islam, Christianity
Bauzi East Geelvink Bay → Bauzi Indonesia (Papua) Animism
Bellonese Austronesian → Polynesian → Bellonese Solomon Islands (Rennell and Bellona)Christianity
Biak Austronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → Biak Indonesia (Biak Islands)Christianity, Islam
Bininj Macro-Gunwinyguan → Gunwinyguan → Bininj Kunwok Australia (Arnhem Land) Kunwinjku, Kuninjku, Kundjeyhmi (Gundjeihmi), Manyallaluk Mayali, Kundedjnjenghmi, Kune Australian Aboriginal religion
Caldoche Indo-European → Romance → French, Francosign → French Sign France (New Caledonia)Christianity → Catholicism
Carolinians Austronesian → Micronesian → Carolinian United States (Northern Mariana Islands)Christianity → Catholicism
Chamorro Austronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → Chamorro United States (Mariana Islands)Christianity → Catholicism
Chuukese Austronesian → Micronesian → Chuukese Federated States of Micronesia (Chuuk Lagoon)Christianity → Catholicism
Cocos Malays Malay creoles → Cocos Malay Australia (Cocos (Keeling) Islands)significant populations in MalaysiaIslam → Sunnism
Cook Islanders Austronesian → Polynesian → Cook Islands Māori, Austronesian → Polynesian → Penrhyn, Austronesian → Polynesian → Rakahanga-Manihiki, Austronesian → Polynesian → Pukapukan New Zealand (Cook Islands)Christianity → Protestantism
Dani Trans-New Guinea → West Papuan Highlands → Dani [note 1] Papua New Guinea (Baliem Valley), Indonesia (Highland Papua)Christianity → Protestantism, Islam
Dharug Pama-Nyungan → Yuin–Kuric → Dharug Australia (Sydney) Dreamtime
Djagaraga Pama-Nyungan → Paman → Djagaraga Australia (Cape York Peninsula) Dreamtime
Ekari Trans–New Guinea → Paniai Lakes → Ekari Indonesia (Wissel Lakes)Christianity
Emae Austronesian → Polynesian → Emae Vanuatu (Emae)MakataChristianity
Eora Pama-Nyungan → Yuin–Kuric → Dharug Australia (Sydney) Dreamtime
Fijians [note 2] Austronesian → Central Pacific → Fijian Fiji Significant populatitons in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom Christianity → Protestantism → Methodism
Futuna-Aniwa Austronesian → Polynesian → Futuna-Aniwa Vanuatu (Futuna, Aniwa)Christianity
Futunans Austronesian → Polynesian → Futunan France (Wallis and Futuna)Christianity
Galela West Papuan → North Halmahera → Galela Indonesia (North Maluku)Islam, Christianity
Gamilaraay Pama-Nyungan → Wiradhuric → Gamilaraay Australia (New South Wales, Queensland) Alcheringa
Gundungurra Pama-Nyungan → Yuin-Kuric → Ngunnawal–Gundungurra Australia (New South Wales) Dreamtime
Gurindji Pama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Gurindji, Pama–Nyungan and Indo-European → Gurindji and Australian Kriol → Gurindji Kriol Australia (Northern Territory) Dreamtime
Haole Indo-European → Germanic → English → United States English; Francosign → ASLic → American Sign United States (Hawaii)Christianity → Catholicism, Protestantism
Hawaiians Austronesian → Polynesian → Hawaiian, [note 3] Indo-European → Germanic → English Creole → Hawaiian Pidgin, Hawaiʻi Sign, Hawaiʻi Sign and American Sign → Creole Hawaiʻi Sign United States (Hawaii)Christianity, Hawaiian religion
Huli Trans–New Guinea → Engan → Huli Papua New Guinea (Southern Highlands Province)Christianity, Papuan religion
Iatmul Sepik → Iatmul Papua New Guinea (East Sepik Province)Christianity
Indo-Fijians Indo-European → Indo-Aryan → Hindustani → Fiji Hindi; Indo-European → Germanic → English; Dravidian → Tamiloid → Tamil; Austronesian → Central Pacific → Fijian Fiji Significant populations in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, and United Kingdom Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism
Kaluli Trans-New Guinea → Kaluli Papua New Guinea (Great Papuan Plateau) Papuan religion
Kanaks Austronesian → Kanak [note 1] France (Kanaky) Haveke, Ajie, Arha, Xaragure, Haeke Christianity → Catholicism
Kao West Papuan → North Halmahera → Kao; West Papuan → North Halmahera → Modole Indonesia (Kao Land)Pagu, Modole people, Boeng, TowilikoChristianity, Islam, Animism
Kapingamarangi Austronesian → Polynesian → Kapingamarangi Federated States of Micronesia (Kapingamarangi)Christianity
Kartudjara Pama-Nyungan → Wati → Wati Australia (Southern Australia) Animism
Kaurna Pama-Nyungan → Thura-Yura → Kaurna [note 4] Australia (South Australia) Dreamtime
Kiribati Austronesian → Micronesian → Gilbertese Gilbert Islands (Kiribati)Christianity, Baháʼí Faith
Koara Pama-Nyungan → Wati → Wati Australia (Western Australia) Animism
Kokatha Pama-Nyungan → Wati → Wati Australia (South Australia) Animism
Kosraeans Austronesian → Micronesian → Kosraean Federated States of Micronesia (Kosrae)Christianity
Kulin Pama-Nyungan → Kulinic → Kulin Australia (Victoria) Alcheringa
Kuwarranyji Pama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Mudburra → Kuwarranyji Australia (Northern Territory) Alcheringa
Lani Trans-New Guinea → Western Dani Indonesia (Central Papua, Highland Papua)Christianity, Animism
Larrakia Larrakia Australia (Northern Territory) Alcheringa
Loloda West Papuan → North Halmahera → Loloda Indonesia (Loloda Islands)Islam, Animism
Luangiua Austronesian → Polynesian → Luangiua Solomon Islands (Ontong Java)Christianity
Luritja Pama-Nyungan → Wati → Luritja Australia (Northern Territory) Alcheringa
Makianese West Papuan → North Halmahera → Moi, Austronesian → South Halmahera → Taba,Indonesia (Makian)Tabayama, JitineeIslam → Sunni Islam, Animism
Mangarevans Austronesian → Polynesian → Mangareva France (Gambier Islands)Christianity
Māori Austronesian → Polynesian → New Zealand Māori, [note 5] New Zealand Māori Indians, with significant populations in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States Christianity
Marquesas Islanders Austronesian → Polynesian → Marquesan France (Marquesas Islands)Christianity
Marshallese Austronesian → Micronesian → Marshallese Marshall Islands Christianity → Protestantism
Mele-Fila Austronesian → Polynesian → Mele-Fila Vanuatu (Mele, Ifira)Erakoro, EratapuChristianity
Moriori Austronesian → Polynesian → Moriori, [note 6] Indo-European → Germanic → English [3] New Zealand (Chatham Islands)Christianity including Rātana
Motu Austronesian → Papuan Tip → Motu Papua New Guinea (Central Province)Christianity, Shamanism
Mudburra Pama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Mudburra Australia (Northern Territory) Alcheringa
Muruwari Pama-Nyungan → Central New South Wales → Muruwari Australia (New South Wales, Queensland) Dreamtime
Nauruans Austronesian → Micronesian → Nauruan Nauru Christianity → Protestantism
Ngarinyin Worrorran → Ngarinyin Australia (Western Australia) Dreamtime
Ngunnawal Pama-Nyungan → Yuin-Kuric → Ngunnawal–Gundungurra Australia (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales) Dreamtime
Ni-Vanuatu Indo-European → English Creole → Bislama; over 100 Oceanic languages Vanuatu Christianity, Animism
Niueans Austronesian → Malayo-Polyesian → Polynesian → Niuean New Zealand (Niue)Christianity → Protestantism → Calvinism
Noongar Pama-Nyungan → Nyungic → Noongar Australia (Western Australia) Amangu, Ballardong, Yued, Kaneang, Koreng, Mineng, Njakinjaki, Njunga, Pibelmen, Pindjarup, Wadandi, Whadjuk, Wiilman, Wudjari Alcheringa
Norfolk Islanders Indo-European → Germanic → English, Indo-European → Germanic → English Creole → Pitcairn–Norfolk → Norfuk Australia (Norfolk Island) Irreligion, Christianity → Protestantism → Anglicanism [4]
Nugurians Austronesian → Polynesian → Nuguria Papua New Guinea (Nuguria)Christianity
Nukumanu Austronesian → Polynesian → Nukumanu Papua New Guinea (Nukumanu)Christianity
Nukuorans Austronesian → Polynesian → Nukuoro Federated States of Micronesia (Nukuoro)Christianity
Ōbeikei Islanders Indo-European → English Creole → Bonin English [note 1] Japan (Bonin Islands)Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto
Ouvéans Austronesian → Polynesian → West Uvean France (New Caledonia (Ouvéa))Christianity
Pākehā Indo-European → Germanic →English → New Zealand English New Zealand Irreligion, Christianity
Palauans Austronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → Palauan; Indo-European → Germanic → English → Palauan English Palau Christianity, Modekngei
Palawa Indo-European → Germanic → English; Palawa kani; historically Tasmanian languages [note 1] [note 7] Australia (Tasmania) Alcheringa
Pileni Austronesian → Polynesian → Vaeakau-Taumako Solomon Islands (Reef Islands)Christianity
Pitcairn Islanders Indo-European → Germanic → English, Indo-European → Germanic → English Creole → Pitcairn-Norfolk → Pitkern British Overseas Territories (Pitcairn Islands)Significant population in Norfolk Island, along with a diaspora in Australia, and New Zealand [5] Christianity → Protestantism → Seventh-day Adventism
Pitjantjara Pama-Nyungan → Wati → Pitjantjara Australia (Central Australia) Alcheringa
Pohnpeians Austronesian → Micronesian → Pohnpeian Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei)Christianity
Rapa Iti Austronesian → Polynesian → Rapa France (Rapa Iti)Christianity
Rapa Nui Austronesian → Polynesian → Rapa Nui Chile (Easter Island)Christianity → Catholicism
Rennellese Austronesian → Polynesian → Rennellese Solomon Islands (Rennell and Bellona)Christianity
Rotumans Austronesian → Central Pacific → Rotuman Fiji (Rotuma)Christianity → Protestantism → Seventh-day Adventism, Methodism; Catholicism [6]
Samoans Austronesian → Polynesian → Samoan Samoan Islands (Samoa, American Samoa) American Samoans, Samoan Samoans, with significant populations in New Zealand, the United States Christianity
Sikaiana Austronesian → Polynesian → Sikaiana Solomon Islands (Sikaiana)Christianity
Sonsorolese Austronesian → Micronesian → Sonsorolese Palau (Sonsorol)Christianity
South Sea Islanders Indo-European → Germanic → English → Australian English Australia (Queensland)Christianity [7]
Tabaru West Papuan → North Halmahera → Tabaru Indonesia (Jailolo) Animism
Tahitians Austronesian → Polynesian → Tahitian [note 8] France (Tahiti)Christianity
Takuu Austronesian → Polynesian → Takuu Papua New Guinea (Takuu)Christianity
Ternate West Papuan → North Halmahera → Ternate Indonesia (Ternate)Tubo, Tobona, Tabanga, Toboleu, Ibu, Jailolo, Ternate-PortugueseIslam → Sunni Islam, Animism
Tidore West Papuan → North Halmahera → Tidore Indonesia (Tidore)Islam
Tikopia Austronesian → Polynesian → Tikopia Solomon Islands (Tikopia)Christianity
Tiwi Tiwi Australia (Tiwi Islands) Alcheringa
Tobati Austronesian → North New Guinea → Tobati Indonesia (Jayapura)Christianity, Islam
Tobelo West Papuan → North Halmahera → Tobelo Indonesia (North Halmahera)Dodinga, Boeng, Kao, Maba Christianity → Protestantism, Animism, Islam → Sunni Islam
Tobians Austronesian → Micronesian → Tobian Palau (Hatohobei)Christianity
Togutils West Papuan → North Halmahera → Togutil Indonesia (North Halmahera (Aketajawe-Lolobata National Park))Totodoku, Tukur-Tukur, Lolobata, Kobekulo, Buli Animism, Christianity, Islam
Tokelauans Austronesian → Polynesian → Tokelauan Tokelau Christianity → Congregationalism
Tongans Austronesian → Polynesian → Tongan Tonga Tongan Hawaiians Christianity
Torres Strait Islanders Pama-Nyungan → Kalaw Lagaw Ya, Eastern Trans-Fly → Meriam, Indo-European → Germanic → English → Torres Strait Creole Australia (Torres Strait Islands)Christianity
Tuamotuans Austronesian → Polynesian → Tuamotuan France (Tuamotus)Christianity
Tuvaluans Austronesian → Polynesian → Tuvaluan Tuvalu Kioa Christianity
Wallisians Austronesian → Polynesian → Wallisian France (Wallis and Futuna)Christianity
Warlpiris Pama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Warlpiri, Indo-European and Pama–Nyungan → Warlpiri and Australian Kriol → Light Warlpiri Australia (Northern Territory) Dreamtime
Waropen Austronesian → South Halmahera–West New Guinea → Waropen Indonesia (Waropen Regency)Christianity
Wik Pama-Nyungan → Paman → Wik [note 1] Australia (Cape York Peninsula) Wik-Mungkan, Wiknantjara, Wikmean, Wikepa, Wik-kalkan, Wikapatja, Wikampama Dreamtime
Wiradjuri Pama-Nyungan → Wiradhuric → Wiradjuri Australia (New South Wales) Dreamtime
Worrorra Worrorran → Worrrorra Australia (Western Australia) Dreamtime
Wunambal Worrorran → Wunambal Australia (Western Australia) Dreamtime
Yali Trans-New Guinea → Yali Indonesia (Baliem Valley)Christianity, Animism
Yapese Austronesian → Oceanic → Yapese Federated States of Micronesia (Yap)Christianity
Yolngu Pama-Nyungan → Yolngu [note 1] Australia (Miwatj) Dhuwa (Rirratjingu, Galpu, Djambarrpuyngu, Golumala, Marrakulu, Marrangu, Djapu, Datiwuy, Ngaymil, Djarrwark), Yirritja (Gumatj, Gupapuyngu, Wangurri, Ritharrngu, Mangalili, Munyuku, Madarrpa, Warramiri, Dhalwangu, Liyalanmirri) Alcheringa
Yugambeh Pama-Nyungan → Bandjalangic → Yugambeh Australia (Queensland) Alcheringa
ꞋAreꞌare Austronesian → Southeast Solomonic → ꞋAreꞌare Solomon Islands (Malaita)Christianity

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Language family; with some exceptions, all speakers of the various languages within this family are typically seen as one singular ethnicity.
  2. ↑ Endonymically known as iTaukei.
  3. ↑ Since Hawaii's annexation into the United States, English has almost completely supplanted Hawaiian.
  4. ↑ The Kaurna language went extinct in 1929 but revival efforts have been ongoing since the 1980s. Most Kaurna people now mainly speak English.
  5. ↑ Although the Māori have been able to halt the extinction of their language, the majority still only speak English fluently.
  6. ↑ The Moriori language went extinct in 1898 but revival efforts have been ongoing since 2001.
  7. ↑ Though many Tasmanian languages are not genetically related to each other, they are all known to be ethnolects developed by the Palawa.
  8. ↑ Due to France's long history of promoting the French language at the expense of others, the vast majority only speak French.

References

  1. ↑ Levinson, David (1998). Ethnic Groups Worldwide: A Ready Reference Handbook . Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN   978-1-57356-019-1.
  2. ↑ Goran Burenhult, Traditional Peoples Today: Continuity and Change in the Modern World Illustrated History of Humankind, vol. 5 (1994).
  3. ↑ Williams, Victoria R. (2020). Indigenous Peoples – An Encyclopedia of Culture, History, and Threats to Survival. Vol. 4. ABC-CLIO. p. 765. ISBN   9781440861178. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  4. ↑ "2021 Norfolk Island, Census All Persons QuickStats". Australian Bureau of Statistics. 10 August 2021. Archived from the original on 30 October 2022. Retrieved 30 October 2022.
  5. ↑ "2013 Census ethnic group profiles: Pitcairn Islander". Archived from the original on 3 August 2020. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  6. ↑ "The Rotuman People | NZETC". nzetc.victoria.ac.nz. Retrieved 2019-05-22.
  7. ↑ Tracey Flanagan, Meredith Wilkie, and Susanna Iuliano. "Australian South Sea Islanders: A Century of Race Discrimination under Australian Law", Australian Human Rights Commission.
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