The Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival has wrapped up after four days of singing, dancing, feasting and celebrations in the Torres Strait.
Kicking off with a grand parade, the festival on Thursday Island, which has the Indigenous name Waiben, included more than 60 performances by dance teams from across the islands and mainland.
It also featured marches, musical performances and political discussions.
Torres Shire Council chief executive Dallasa Yorkston said it had been the first time the festival could be held in several years due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“It was an emotional time for everyone reconnecting from across the islands, it has been a wonderful festival,” she said.
Torres Strait Flag Day on Monday began with the raising of the flag by Bernard Namok Jr, the son of the designer.
“I was at the United Nations in New York and am very proud that the flag is flown there and that dad’s vision has been realised in bringing our flag, the Torres Strait flag, to the world,” he said.
The festival hosted a session on the Masig Statement, a declaration of self-determination for the Torres Strait Islands.
Torres Shire Council mayor Yen Loban welcomed the community to the ceremony and called on attendees to vote ‘yes’ at the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous voice.
“This flag day truly feels like we are not only celebrating our culture and our history, but also that we are at the beginning of a change that the peoples of Zenadth Kes have struggled for so long to achieve,” he said.
“It feels very special and important.”
Australian Associated Press