Culture Compass

Radio Australia
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIETY & CULTURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
Culture Compass

Culture Compass is an exploration of survival, revival and connection throughout the Pacific.  The half-hour bespoke program, hosted by Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche, delves into the traditional and contemporary cultures in the Pacific.   It will take you all around the world as we uncover how and where our cultures are evolving - from how introduced foods like bully beef have become a part of our life to the integration of traditional and conventional medicine. 

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Forced far from home: Unveiling the global reach of the blackbirding trade

    Blackbirding was the forced labour trade that uprooted Pacific Islanders, landing them on ships headed to far away shores. It's a disturbing chapter of history and while Australia's involvement has been somewhat documented, the true scale of blackbirding across the Pacific remains largely unknown. From remote islands to distant lands like Peru, there are still countless untold stories of where our ancestors were taken and the impact this dark history has left behind. You'll hear from Dr Line Noue-Kruse, a Samoan historian on how blackbirding fit into the context of a global slave trade. Plus, Imelda Miller, curator of the 'Say Our Names: Australian South Sea Islander' exhibition at Queensland Museum in Brisbane Australia. You'll also hear from Tongan Bishop Silouan Silala Vea traces the journey of his ancestors who were taken from Tonga to Peru. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.

  2. JAN 20

    Carved in history: The secrets of Pacific stone monuments

    From the basalt boulders of Nan Madol to the monolithic moai of Rapa Nui, Pacific stone structures reveal astonishing engineering feats.  Hear from Historic Preservation Officer Augustine Kohler as well as anthropologists Tarita Rapu and Meked Besebes, as we uncover the mysteries behind these ancient Pacific cities.

  3. JAN 13

    Saddle up: Discover why country crooners are so big in the Pacific

    Dust off your cowboy hat, boots and belt buckles! Think back to your last family gathering. The kava's flowing, the aunties are dancing, and everyone's singing along to the music. What's playing? Possibly Dolly Parton or Luke Combs?

  4. 11/12/2024

    INTRODUCING — The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior

    You probably know about the last moments of the Rainbow Warrior. But what do you know about the Greenpeace ship's last voyage before it was bombed by the French in New Zealand in 1985? Where had it come from, why was it there and what was it doing? Find out in The Last Voyage of the Rainbow Warrior.

  5. 04/29/2024

    Century old Pacific secrets — when's the right time to pass down ancestral knowledge?

    Our elders are the keepers of our cultural keys. But what happens when they don't share it? Rotuma, an island of Fiji, is home to an ancient traditional headdress called the Suru. But the knowledge of this artefact only lies with a select few elders. They'd never been asked to share their wisdom so this special headdress hadn't been woven or worn for 1000 years. You'll hear from Letila Mitchel, a Rotuman artist, who led a team to seek out one of the few elders who held knowledge of the Suru. Iane Atalifo was part of the group from, Rako Pasefika, and shares his experiences helping to re-create the head dress and bring it to life, by wearing it while performing the dance of the warrior. Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.

    29 min

  6. 04/22/2024

    How Tokelau and Tuvalu are finding hope for the future of their cultures in the face of climate change

    Rising sea levels are swallowing up traditional homes. So, how do you preserve a culture, when the land it’s tied to is slipping away?  Some of the most affected nations like Tokelau and Tuvalu are taking proactive steps to document and record their sacred sites, their language and their cultural practices as a last resort.   And they’re looking to unexpected places – like the metaverse and museums – to help them in the process.  You’ll hear from Paula Faiva, the Director for the Ministry of Climate, Oceans & Resilience in the Tokelau Government with a long history of fighting for climate justice in Tokelau, as well as Moira Simmons from the Tuvaluan Government about her country’s plans to go digital with their cultural preservation strategy.  Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia.

    29 min

  7. 04/15/2024

    Heavy metal is on the rise, defying stereotypes "Pacific" music to become a powerful outlet for frustrations and a platform for resistance

    Ferocious vocals and loud guitars, metal is the perfect way to let out your frustrations – and it's found an unlikely home in the Pacific.

    29 min

  8. 04/08/2024

    All roads lead to home – connecting to culture in PNG's Port Moresby 

    Papua New Guinea is a country of steep valleys, raging rivers, thick rainforest — and not to mention the Pacific Ocean – that makes traversing the country a precarious task.  So when people migrate from their villages to the capital Port Moresby, sometimes they're leaving for good.  But just because you leave your village for the city, it doesn't mean you can't continue to practice your culture when you're away from home. In fact, distance makes the heart grow fonder, and we develop a deeper appreciation for the cultures we left behind.   In this episode we traverse Papua New Guinea to hear how three women are staying connected to their cross-country cultures.  Culture Compass was produced by Deadset Studios for ABC Radio Australia. ​​​​​​​

    29 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Culture Compass is an exploration of survival, revival and connection throughout the Pacific.  The half-hour bespoke program, hosted by Seiuli Salamasina von Reiche, delves into the traditional and contemporary cultures in the Pacific.   It will take you all around the world as we uncover how and where our cultures are evolving - from how introduced foods like bully beef have become a part of our life to the integration of traditional and conventional medicine. 

Information

  • Creator
    Radio Australia
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025, Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All right reserved.
  • Show Website
    Culture Compass

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