Adoption
Edward Koiki Sambo was born at Murray Island, on the twenty ninth of June 1936.
He was the fifth child of Robert and Poipe Sambo.
But shortly after his birth, Koiki's mother died, so his father had him adopted out - to his mother's brother, Benny Mabo and wife, Maiga.
By islander law, Benny Mabo became Koiki's father. So, Benny now had a son who could inherit Mabo land.
Young Koiki grew up speaking Meriam Mer and Benny told him the stories and legends of Murray Island. He also taught Koiki about the seasons to plant crops and how to cultivate bananas and yams.
Koiki's Birth Certificate Extract
Image
Jun, 29, 1936
birth certificate, Common Law, crown land, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer
E.K. Mabo to Defence Department
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May, 22, 1986
army, Department of Defence, letters, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Sambo, Robert, Townsville, World War 2
Grandad and Grandma Sambo
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1966
Mabo, Bethel, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo family, Mabo, Gail, Mabo, Mal, Mabo, Maria, Sambo, Poipe, Sambo, Robert
...the only thing we had was the land...
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childhood, land ownership, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, Mabo's Garden
White beliefs were not the only ones
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gardening, land disputes, land use, Las, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo's Garden, Mer
...I sat in the witness box...
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May, 5, 1989
Brisbane, evidence, Mabo Case, Mabo v Queensland No.1, plaintiffs, witnesses
Moynihan's Findings
Topic
Dec, 16, 1990
adoption, inheritance, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo v Queensland No.1, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings
Benny & Maiga's Son
Topic
Jan, 2, 1992
Brisbane, cancer, death, diaries, inheritance, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Eddie Jnr., Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga
Property & Inheritance
Topic
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, inheritance, land ownership, Meriam culture, property
...Our grandfathers and fathers...
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ancestors, culture, fishing, gardening, land use, Mer, Wailu, Jack
...He Got A Flogging From Auntie Maiga...
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adoption, childhood, fishing, Kudub, George, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga
Las
Topic
Las, Las, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island, Piadaram, Zogo le
Justice Moynihan's Findings
Topic
Nov, 16, 1990
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Moynihan's findings, Supreme Court of Queensland
Property And Inheritance
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Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, inheritance, land ownership, Meriam culture, property
