CEREMONY MARKS LIVES OF EIGHT CHILDREN IN MURRAY STREET TRAGEDY
THE lives of eight children tragically lost on Murray St in December 2014, have been celebrated by family members and the wider community in a special cultural ceremony.
Almost 2000 people gathered at Martyn St cemetery on Saturday morning, including a large number of attendees from the Torres Strait Islands.
Cultural protocols dictate that the four boys and four girls, aged between two and 14 years old, be collectively referred to as Keriba Omasker. This means “our children” in an Erub Island dialect of the Torres Strait Islander language of Meriam Mir, a language of the children’s heritage.
Member for Cook Cynthia Lui, Torres Shire Council Mayor Vonda Malone and Yarrabah Mayor Ross Andrews were among those who united for a ceremony which featured song, traditional dance and a display of colour and vitality for the lives passed and the unveiling of their headstones.
“The tombstone unveiling is the unwrapping of the clothswathed headstone of the grave, taking place any time after 12 months from the funeral of the loved one,” said Gabriel Bani of Thursday Island.
“This unique tradition which is now an integral part of the Torres Strait culture, was introduced and adapted from the South Sea islander practice, after the ‘coming of the light’ landing of the missionaries in the 1800s.”
The ceremony was followed by a reception at Fred Moule Pavilion in Cairns Showgrounds, where a cultural feast was held.
A family representative said while it was an emotional day, it was one about celebrating the children.
“We’re a family, we’re community, we’re here together and we’re giving thanks for the lives of these children that they’re with their ancestors,” he said.
“It’s all about the children and paying respect to them.”
The tombstone opening is an emotional ceremony but a celebratory tradition to unveil the headstone that permanently represents the respectful memory of a loved one who has passed away.