Culture Compass

Skin deep — what does it mean to wear and give cultural tattoos today?

"Our practice was quiet for a moment. It was quiet for a generation, it wasn't eradicated. And now it's back. And it's loud. And it's here, it's in your face — literally, on your face! And now we're just living that practice every day." Moale James' tattoos are a powerful link to her Papua New Guinean ancestors. The meaning of tattoo changes Island to Island, village to village, right across the Pacific. In some countries the tattoo has remained strong despite the efforts of missionaries and colonial attitudes to stamp it out. In others, we've had to go to extraordinary lengths to revive the cultural practice. It's also changing with time, as we adapt the practice to accommodate modern influences and safety measures so that the ancient art of skin marking is now a fixture in contemporary Pacific cultures. Master tattooists in places like Samoa have been working for decades with families in other Pacific countries like Papua New Guinea, where the practice of skin marking has been revived. And now with more people than ever choosing to wear the marks of their ancestors – no matter where they live, is the practice becoming more accepted, or do we still have a way to go? We follow the journey of Li'aifaiva, a master tufuga who learned his craft in Samoa, and Papua New Guinean-Australian woman Moale James, who wears the marks of her ancestors proudly – but it's something that Australia needs to catch up to. Sean Mallon, Senior Curator of Pacific Cultures at Te Papa Tongarewa in Aotearoa has studied the history of tattooing in the Pacific. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios [https://www.deadsetstudios.com/]for ABC Radio Australia. This edition of Culture Compass was a repeat of the program broadcast on 5th September 2023

Corned beef – a Pacific tradition or a load of bull?

As soon as that first drop of fat hits the frying pan, the smell of nostalgia fills the kitchen. If you grew up in a Pacific Island household, you can probably conjure it up wherever you are. It's the smell of corned beef, spam, bully beef — whatever you call it, those tins of salty, pink jellied meat have become a staple across the islands. But exactly how did corned beef gain such cultural clout in the Pacific? It's a world away from the fresh fish and taro our ancestors would have eaten, but somehow now it's gifted by the case to mark significant occasions. Is there hope for those of us who love to cook with it, but who also want to stay healthy enough to share the tradition with the next generation? You'll hear from Michel Tuffery, the artist who built giant bull statues out of corned beef tins; and Dr Heena Akbar, a lecturer in public health at University of Queensland, on why the contents of those tins is so detrimental. Culture Compass is the show about survival, revival and connection in the Pacific, where we navigate the past and present. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios [https://www.deadsetstudios.com/] for ABC Radio Australia. This edition of Culture Compass was a repeat of the program broadcast on 29th August 2023

Our stories, our lens: How Pacific filmmakers are reclaiming the screen

Storytelling has always been the backbone of our culture — a way to teach, to remember, to entertain. And now a new generation of filmmakers is projecting that legacy on screen, using modern tools to tell our truths. From grassroots DIY shoots to Hollywood blockbusters, these storytellers are redefining what it means to see ourselves on screen. You'll hear from Papua New Guinean producer Michelline Erbes on how her film Wounded Warriors didn't shy away from telling the powerful truth of her community. Samoan — New Zealand director Damon Fepulea'i shares the goal of his film Red, White & Brass — Pacific stories told by Pacific people. And Samoan-American director Dana Ledoux-Miller talks charting new ground in Hollywood at the helm of Disney's Moana 2. Listen to this episode of Culture Compass with host Afamasaga Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche on ABC Radio Australia. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios [https://www.deadsetstudios.com/] for ABC Radio Australia.

The Pacific has a rich royal history, but where do monarchies sit today?

"To my knowledge, it was the first time we saw a riot influenced by democracy," says Alice Lolohea, ABC's Tongan presenter for The Pacific. "People asked, if leaders overseas can be held accountable, why can't we hold ours to account?" What does monarchy mean in the Pacific today? How do these systems balance leadership, accountability, and culture, and how do they compare to Western royal ideals? In the Kingdom of Tonga, the last Pacific nation with a ruling monarchy, the royal family still holds real power, but calls for democracy have grown. At the same time, the monarchy remains central to tradition, culture, and community life. In Aotearoa, the Māori monarchy continues today — although it's not officially recognised. Elsewhere in the Pacific, monarchies have taken different paths. In Hawai'i, Tahiti, and Wallis and Futuna, royal families were overthrown by colonisers. Their lines are remembered and communities are pushing for recognition. You'll hear from Noah Hanohano Dolim, assistant professor at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, an expert on the Hawaiian Kingdom era and the turbulent history of unification, resistance, and resilience. Listen to this episode of Culture Compass with host Afamasaga Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche on ABC Radio Australia. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios [https://www.deadsetstudios.com/] for ABC Radio Australia.

How Pacific women are reclaiming their rightful place as chiefs

When ancient customs meet modern politics, who holds the power? In certain parts of the Pacific, it's always been the women. They're called matrilineal chiefly societies — where women inherit the land, titles and responsibilities. But those systems were disrupted by the patriarchal structures that followed colonisation and Christianity. Now, women chiefs are navigating their way back to a rightful place in leadership. You'll hear from three women pushing for progress: Janet Sios from New Ireland Province in Papua New Guinea, Motari Amua Doreen Le'ona from Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, and NBC reporter Louiseanne Laris from the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Listen to this episode of Culture Compass with host Afamasaga Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche on ABC Radio Australia. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios [https://www.deadsetstudios.com/] for ABC Radio Australia.