Melanesians
Oceanian indigenous group
Melanesians are the indigenous peoples of Melanesia, a region of Pacific islands stretching from New Guinea to Fiji.
The term encompasses diverse ethnic groups sharing certain physical characteristics—typically dark skin and tightly curled hair—though the populations are culturally and linguistically varied.
Melanesians have inhabited these islands for tens of thousands of years.
Southwest Pacific island nation
- Solomon IslandsOceanian archipelago nation
- VanuatuMelanesian archipelago nation
- FijiPacific island republic
- New CaledoniaFrench territory near Australia
archipelago · atoll · coral reef · volcanic islands · tropical · Pacific Rim · Coral Sea · biodiversity
Slender paddled vessel
- outriggerBoat-balancing lateral float
- voyagingTraveling long distances
- navigationDetermining position and course
- sailingWind-propelled water travel
fishing · reef fishing · shell money · trade routes · maritime · currents · lagoon · ocean navigation
Edible tropical corm
- yamStarchy tropical root vegetable
- sagoPalm-derived thickening starch
- sweet potatoOrange-fleshed edible tuber
- coconutHard-shelled tropical drupe
breadfruit · kava · betel nut · garden cultivation · slash-and-burn · fishing · foraging · copra
Formal observances with ritual
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
- kinshipState of being related
matrilineage · ancestry · mythology · totems · artifacts · dances · songs · festivals
Originating in a region
- Pacific IslanderNative of Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia
- ethnic diversityVaried cultural backgrounds present
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
- decolonizationEnding imperial control
independence movements · cultural revival · land rights · sovereignty · tribal identity
Groups with common origin
- AustronesianPacific-spanning language family
- multilingualismMultiple language proficiency
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
- creoleNativized pidgin tongue
Allelic variation within populations
- archaeological sitesPreserved historical excavation zones
- potteryFired clay objects
- Out of AfricaDanish baroness's Kenya memoir
Papua New Guinea
Southwest Pacific island nation
- Solomon IslandsOceanian archipelago nation
- VanuatuMelanesian archipelago nation
- FijiPacific island republic
New Caledonia · archipelago · atoll · coral reef · volcanic islands · tropical · Pacific Rim · Coral Sea · biodiversity · rainforest
canoe
Slender paddled vessel
- outriggerBoat-balancing lateral float
- voyagingTraveling long distances
- navigationDetermining position and course
sailing · fishing · reef fishing · shell money · trade routes · maritime · currents · lagoon · ocean navigation · island hopping
taro
Edible tropical corm
- yamStarchy tropical root vegetable
- sagoPalm-derived thickening starch
- sweet potatoOrange-fleshed edible tuber
coconut · breadfruit · kava · betel nut · garden cultivation · slash-and-burn · fishing · foraging · copra · food gardens
ceremonies
Formal observances with ritual
- ritualsCeremonial repeated practices
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- clanRelated group sharing ancestry
kinship · matrilineage · ancestry · mythology · totems · artifacts · dances · songs · festivals · spirituality
indigenous
Originating in a region
- Pacific IslanderNative of Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia
- ethnic diversityVaried cultural backgrounds present
- self-determinationControl over one's fate
decolonization · independence movements · cultural revival · land rights · sovereignty · tribal identity
language families
Groups with common origin
- AustronesianPacific-spanning language family
- multilingualismMultiple language proficiency
- vernacularEveryday regional speech
genetic diversity
Allelic variation within populations
- archaeological sitesPreserved historical excavation zones
- potteryFired clay objects
- Out of AfricaDanish baroness's Kenya memoir
- Islandersislander, Hawaiians, Hawaiian, Fijians, Jamaican
- peoplesAmericans, British, Chinese, French, Germans
- seafaring peoplessailors, navigators, Vikings, fishermen, Polynesians
- ethnic groupsJews, Arabs, Chinese, Irish, Greeks
- Island CulturesHawaiian culture, Easter Island, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu
- Pacific IslandersPolynesians, Micronesians, Hawaiians, Samoans, Tongans
MelanesiansPolynesians
Indigenous peoples of Oceania
Micronesians · Europeans · Australians · Māori · Hawaiians
MelanesiansEuropeans
People from that continent
Native Americans · Inuit · Sami · East Asians · South Asians
MelanesiansEuropeans
People from that continent
Scandinavians · Northern Europeans · Inuit · Siberians · Icelanders