A Torres Strait Islander Perspective on the Concept of Indigenous Knowledge

Abstract

The concept of Indigenous knowledge itself has life; it is ‘living’ knowledge. This Indigenous knowledge or ‘living’ knowledge is not written, but rather transmitted orally by the gatekeepers and holders of knowledge, especially from our Elders ‘ Athe’ (grandfather), ’ Aka’ (grandmother), our parents ‘ Baba’ (father), and ‘ Ama’ (mother), as well as our (uncles) ‘ Awahdeh’ and our (aunties) ‘ Ama’. These holders of knowledge play a major part in our individual lives as they mould or shape our minds, values, ethics, morals and opinions about society today and its influences on us as individuals. The Elders also influence where we place ourselves in our community and in the wider community. This transmission of Indigenous knowledge is ‘ passed on’ through traditional language, traditional lores, understandings of totems, kinship ties, performance of dances, songs, stories, myths, legends, rituals, ceremonies and activities or events which influence our lives daily.