Tiwi Story: Turning history downside up

by Mavis Kerinaiua, Laura Rademaker

Tiwi people have plenty to be proud of. This little tropical island community has more than its fair share of surprising stories that turn ideas of Australian history upside down. The Tiwi claim the honour of having defeated a global superpower. When the world’ s most powerful navy attempted to settle and invade the Tiwi Islands in 1824, Tiwi guerrilla warriors fought the British and won. The Tiwi remember the fight and oral histories reveal their tactical brilliance. Later, in 1911, Catholic priest Francis Xavier Gsell styled himself as the ‘ Bishop with 150 wives’ . Gsell said he ‘ purchased’ Tiwi women and ‘ freed’ them from traditional Tiwi marriage, and Tiwi girls grew up into devoted Catholics. But Tiwi women had more power in their marriage negotiations than the missionaries realised. They worked out how to be both Tiwi and Catholic. And it was the missionaries who came around to Tiwi thinking, not the other way around.

Genres: Nonfiction, Australia

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2023

Reviews

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't mean to dismiss how innovative this book is by saying this is one simple trick, but part of what is so impressive about this history is that it all seems so obvious and easy. Kerinaiua and Rademaker bring two perspectives together in this book, integrating Rademaker's academic approach with oral histories and Tiwi understandings. Each author writes an introductory chapter, the main chapters are collaborations and each of those is introduced by an essay of remembrances from a Tiwi leader. The result is something completely new - a history which is accessible, emotional and manages to acknowledge multiple interpretations and shade events with experiences. This is helpful is allowing space for different experiences, especially in discussing faith and culture, or the contradictory experiences of mission life. In having dual perspectives, the book acknowledges that a myriad of perspectives exist, and yet that doesn't deny that in some things, community is united. It is a pleasurable, easy read and will resonate long after you've finished

[Vannessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great approach in history writing, a collaborative work between an academic historian, Laura Rademaker and Tiwi historians.

[Christopher Sheehan · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Nations centric views from Northern Australia giving insights into local history, culture and philosophies.

[Jude Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wonderful account of Tiwi history! I loved the way the narrative was interlaced with voices of Tiwi people. I learned so much!