The Coming of the Light Festival

The Coming of the Light festival marks the day the London Missionary Society first arrived in Torres Strait. One Saturday evening, 1st July 1871, the Reverend Samuel MacFarlane of the London Missionary Society anchored at Erub (Darnley Island), introducing Christianity to the region. 

The Society had been active in the Southwest Pacific since the 1840’s converting people to Christianity. Dabad, a Warrior Clan Elder on Erub, “defied his Tribal Law” and openly welcomed the London Missionary Society clergymen and South Sea Islander evangelists and teachers.

The Torres Strait Islanders acknowledgment of the missionaries was the acceptance of a change that would profoundly affect every aspect of life in the Torres Strait from that time onwards.

The anniversary of the arrival of the missionaries is a significant day each year for Torres Strait Islanders, who are predominantly of Christian faith.

The Islanders acceptance of the missionaries and Christianity also meant the end of inter-island conflict. Christian principles were partly compatible with traditional religion and the missionaries gave some protection and assistance to Islanders in their contact with foreigners in the maritime industry.

Religious and cultural ceremonies across Torres Strait and mainland Australia are held on 1 July each year. On Erub or Darnley Island, the Coming of the Light is commemorated with re-enactments, community festivities and a series of feasts.

Click here for the website of the Torres Strait Regional Authority.