The Eight Clans
Until the 1890's, the eight clans of the Meriam lived in clusters of villages within clan territories, spread around the islands of Mer, Dauar and Waier.
Each territory begins on the land and extends out to the edge of the home reef.
Today, "nameholders" within each clan still own particular plots of land, reefs, lagoons and stone fish-traps; they are responsible for them on behalf of their family.
Indigenous People & Their Land
Topic
custom, indigenous people, land ownership, land rights, land use, sacred
...Piadaram clansmen...
Video
clans, Land Bilong Islanders, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Piadaram, Sagir - Trade Winds, Wailu, Jack
The Murray Islanders' Evidence
Topic
1986
evidence, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island, plaintiffs, witnesses
Land Bilong Islanders - Mabo
Topic
Great Northern expedition, land ownership, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, sea rights
The Mabo Case
Topic
1982-1992
High Court of Australia, International law, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, terra nullius
