New Caledonia and nearby Loyalty Islands for most of their history have had a majority Melanesian population, but the proportion has dropped to 43% in the face of modern immigration.

Melanesian culture, the beliefs and practices of the indigenous peoples of the ethnogeographic group of Pacific Islands known as Melanesia.

In general, Melanesians do not worship gods, but acknowledge the spirits and other beings sharing the landscape with them, and their ancestors. Europeans first passed by these islands …

In general, Melanesians do not worship gods, but acknowledge the spirits and other beings sharing the landscape with them, and their ancestors. Europeans first passed by these islands …

The native inhabitants of Melanesia, called Melanesians, are characteristically dark-skinned with frizzy hair. They are sometimes referred to as "Papuans," from the Malay word "papua" …

Melanesia is one of three major cultural areas in the Pacific Ocean. The term Melanesia can be used in either an anthropological or a geographical context.

Dec 23, 2025 · List of Melanesian countries with maps, population and land area, and a clear explanation of how Melanesia is defined within Oceania.

The indigenous Melanesian populations are thus often classified into two main groups based on differences in language, culture or genetic ancestry: the Papuan -speaking and Austronesian …

Apr 9, 2025 · I examine MSG-led Melanesian arts and cultural festivals (MACFESTs) as state-curated spaces celebrating Melanesian identity and self-representation, reflecting on the 2023 …

Melanesians are the indigenous people of Melanesia, a subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. They are characterized by their distinct cultural, linguistic, and physical traits, …