Christmas Island culture
Locals have a great affection for red crabs, and every year act as lifeguards when the female crabs spawn. 'They can't swim and drown if they are washed out to sea, so we pick them back out.' Margaret Watts
The ethnic makeup of Christmas Island's residents is diverse. With a population of only around 1,400 it is home to people of Chinese, European, Indian, Malay and Indonesian heritage. The diversity of the settlers' native tongues and cultures has influenced the island's own culture, as evidenced by the range of ethnic festivals held throughout the year.
The first settlement of the Clunies-Ross family included some Javanese people, as well as Cocos-Malays. Chinese labourers were contracted when the mine was first established, and other workers came from Java and Ambon. Indians were brought to the island to supervise the labourers. In order to supplement their deficient diets, the Chinese, Malay and other Asian workers hunted some of the edible wildlife and harvested fish and other marine animals. The natural resources of the island environment were essential for the survival of these new islanders.
For more information on the cultural aspects of Christmas Island, visit the Christmas Island Tourism Association web site at: christmas.net.au
