List of contemporary ethnic groups of Oceania


The following is a list of contemporary ethnic groups of Oceania. There has been constant debate over the classification of ethnic groups. Membership of an ethnic group tends to be associated with shared ancestry, history, homeland, language or dialect and cultural heritage; where the term "culture" specifically includes aspects such as religion, mythology and ritual, cuisine, dressing (clothing) style and other factors.
By the nature of the concept, ethnic groups tend to be divided into subgroups, may themselves be or not be identified as independent ethnic groups depending on the source consulted.
Oceania here is considered to be approximately delimited from Asia by the Weber Line in Wallacea located west of the Indonesian islands of Maluku and from the Americas by Micronesia and the Polynesian Triangle.

Ethnic groups

The following groups are commonly identified as "ethnic groups", as opposed to ethno-linguistic phyla, national groups, racial groups or similar.
EthnicityLanguagePrimary homelandSubgroups, tribes & castesReligion
AbelamSepik → Ndu → AmbulasPapua New Guinea Maprik, Wosera Christianity
AmboneseAustronesian → Malayic → Ambonese MalayIndonesia Christianity → Protestantism → Calvinism
AmungUhunduni languagesIndonesia Christianity
Anglo-Celtic AustraliansIndo-European → Germanic → English → Australian EnglishAustraliaNew South Welsh, Victorians, Queenslanders, Western Australians, South Australians, Tasmanians, Canberrans, TerritoriansChristianity
Anglo-New ZealandersIndo-European → Germanic → English → New Zealand EnglishNew ZealandNorth Islanders, South Islanders, Stewart Islanders, Chatham IslandersChristianity → Protestantism → Anglicanism
AnguTrans-New Guinea → AnganPapua New Guinea Animism
AnindilyakwaEast Arnhem → Anindilyakwa–Nunggubuyu → AnindilyakwaAustralia Animism
AntakirinjaPama-Nyungan → Wati → AntakarinyaAustralia Animism
AnutaAustronesian → Polynesian → AnutaSolomon Islands Christianity
ArrerntePama-Nyungan → Arandic → ArrernteAustralia Alcheringa
AsmatTrans–New Guinea → Asmat–Kamrau → AsmatIndonesia Joirat, Emari Ducur, Bismam, Becembub, Simai, Kenekap, Unir Siran, Unir Epmak, Safan, Aramatak, Bras, YupmakcainChristianity → Catholicism
Austral IslandersAustronesian → Polynesian → AustralFrance Christianity
BainingBaining languagesPapua New Guinea Kairak, Mali, Qaqet, Simbali, UraChristianity, Pomio Kivung
BanabansAustronesian → Micronesian → Gilbertese; historically Austronesian → Micronesian → BanabanKiribati, Fiji Christianity
BandaneseAustronesian → Malayic → Banda Malay
Austronesian → Central Maluku → Banda		Indonesia Islam, Christianity
BauziEast Geelvink Bay → BauziIndonesia Animism
BelloneseAustronesian → Polynesian → BelloneseSolomon Islands Christianity
BiakAustronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → BiakIndonesia Christianity, Islam
BininjMacro-Gunwinyguan → Gunwinyguan → Bininj KunwokAustralia Kunwinjku, Kuninjku, Kundjeyhmi, Manyallaluk Mayali, Kundedjnjenghmi, KuneAustralian Aboriginal religion
Bonin IslandersIndo-European → English Creole → Bonin EnglishJapan Christianity, Buddhism, Shinto
CaldocheIndo-European → Romance → French, Francosign → French SignFrance Christianity → Catholicism
CaroliniansAustronesian → Micronesian → CarolinianUnited States Christianity → Catholicism
ChamorroAustronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → ChamorroUnited States Christianity → Catholicism
ChuukeseAustronesian → Micronesian → ChuukeseFederated States of Micronesia Christianity → Catholicism
Cocos MalaysMalay creoles → Cocos MalayAustralia significant populations in MalaysiaIslam → Sunnism
Cook IslandersAustronesian → Polynesian → Cook Islands Māori, Austronesian → Polynesian → Penrhyn, Austronesian → Polynesian → Rakahanga-Manihiki, Austronesian → Polynesian → PukapukanNew Zealand Christianity → Protestantism
DaniTrans-New Guinea → West Papuan Highlands → DaniPapua New Guinea, Indonesia Christianity → Protestantism, Islam
DharugPama-Nyungan → Yuin–Kuric → DharugAustralia Dreamtime
DjagaragaPama-Nyungan → Paman → DjagaragaAustralia Dreamtime
EkariTrans–New Guinea → Paniai Lakes → EkariIndonesia Christianity
EmaeAustronesian → Polynesian → EmaeVanuatu MakataChristianity
EoraPama-Nyungan → Yuin–Kuric → DharugAustralia Dreamtime
FijiansAustronesian → Central Pacific → FijianFijiSignificant populatitons in the United States, Australia, the United KingdomChristianity → Protestantism → Methodism
Futuna-AniwaAustronesian → Polynesian → Futuna-AniwaVanuatu Christianity
FutunansAustronesian → Polynesian → FutunanFrance Christianity
GalelaWest Papuan → North Halmahera → GalelaIndonesia Islam, Christianity
GamilaraayPama-Nyungan → Wiradhuric → GamilaraayAustralia Alcheringa
Gubbi GubbiPama-Nyungan → Waka-Gabi → Gubbi GubbiAustralia Dreamtime
GundungurraPama-Nyungan → Yuin-Kuric → Ngunnawal–GundungurraAustralia Dreamtime
GurindjiPama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Gurindji, Pama–Nyungan and Indo-European → Gurindji and Australian Kriol → Gurindji KriolAustralia Dreamtime
HaoleIndo-European → Germanic → English → United States English; Francosign → ASLic → American SignUnited States Christianity → Catholicism, Protestantism
HawaiiansAustronesian → Polynesian → Hawaiian, Indo-European → Germanic → English Creole → Hawaiian Pidgin, Hawaiʻi Sign, Hawaiʻi Sign and American Sign → Creole Hawaiʻi SignUnited States Christianity, Hawaiian religion
HuliTrans–New Guinea → Engan → HuliPapua New Guinea Christianity, Papuan religion
IatmulSepik → IatmulPapua New Guinea Christianity
Indo-FijiansIndo-European → Indo-Aryan → Hindustani → Fiji Hindi; Indo-European → Germanic → English; Dravidian → Tamiloid → Tamil; Austronesian → Central Pacific → FijianFijiSignificant populations in Australia, New Zealand, United States, Canada, and United KingdomHinduism, Islam, Christianity, Sikhism
IwaidjaIwaidjan → IwaidjaAustralia Australian Aboriginal religion
KaluliTrans-New Guinea → KaluliPapua New Guinea Papuan religion
KanaksAustronesian → KanakFrance Haveke, Ajie, Arha, Xaragure, HaekeChristianity → Catholicism
KaoWest Papuan → North Halmahera → Kao; West Papuan → North Halmahera → ModoleIndonesia Pagu, Modole people, Boeng, TowilikoChristianity, Islam, Animism
KapingamarangiAustronesian → Polynesian → KapingamarangiFederated States of Micronesia Christianity
KartudjaraPama-Nyungan → Wati → WatiAustralia Animism
KaurnaPama-Nyungan → Thura-Yura → KaurnaAustralia Dreamtime
KepanīIndo-European → Germanic → English, Hawaiian Pidgin; Japonic → JapaneseUnited States Okinawan HawaiiansBuddhism, Shinto, Christianity
KiribatiAustronesian → Micronesian → GilberteseGilbert Islands Christianity, Baháʼí Faith
KoaraPama-Nyungan → Wati → WatiAustralia Animism
KokathaPama-Nyungan → Wati → WatiAustralia Animism
KosraeansAustronesian → Micronesian → KosraeanFederated States of Micronesia Christianity
KulinPama-Nyungan → Kulinic → KulinAustralia Alcheringa
KuwarranyjiPama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Mudburra → KuwarranyjiAustralia Alcheringa
LaniTrans-New Guinea → Western DaniIndonesia Christianity, Animism
LarrakiaLarrakiaAustralia Alcheringa
LolodaWest Papuan → North Halmahera → LolodaIndonesia Islam, Animism
LuangiuaAustronesian → Polynesian → LuangiuaSolomon Islands Christianity
LuritjaPama-Nyungan → Wati → LuritjaAustralia Alcheringa
MakianeseWest Papuan → North Halmahera → Moi, Austronesian → South Halmahera → Taba,Indonesia Tabayama, JitineeIslam → Sunni Islam, Animism
MangarevansAustronesian → Polynesian → MangarevaFrance Christianity
MāoriAustronesian → Polynesian → New Zealand Māori,New ZealandMāori Indians, with significant populations in the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United StatesChristianity
Marquesas IslandersAustronesian → Polynesian → MarquesanFrance Christianity
MarshalleseAustronesian → Micronesian → MarshalleseMarshall IslandsChristianity → Protestantism
Mele-FilaAustronesian → Polynesian → Mele-FilaVanuatu Erakoro, EratapuChristianity
MorioriAustronesian → Polynesian → Moriori, Indo-European → Germanic → EnglishNew Zealand Christianity including Rātana
MotuAustronesian → Papuan Tip → MotuPapua New Guinea Christianity, Shamanism
MudburraPama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → MudburraAustralia Alcheringa
MuruwariPama-Nyungan → Central New South Wales → MuruwariAustralia Dreamtime
NauruansAustronesian → Micronesian → NauruanNauruChristianity → Protestantism
NgardiPama-Nyungan → Wati → NgardiAustralia Dreamtime
NgarinyinWorrorran → NgarinyinAustralia Dreamtime
NgunnawalPama-Nyungan → Yuin-Kuric → Ngunnawal–GundungurraAustralia Dreamtime
Ni-VanuatuIndo-European → English Creole → Bislama; over 100 Oceanic languagesVanuatuChristianity, Animism
NiueansAustronesian → Malayo-Polyesian → Polynesian → NiueanNew Zealand Christianity → Protestantism → Calvinism
NoongarPama-Nyungan → Nyungic → NoongarAustralia Amangu, Ballardong, Yued, Kaneang, Koreng, Mineng, Njakinjaki, Njunga, Pibelmen, Pindjarup, Wadandi, Whadjuk, Wiilman, WudjariAlcheringa
Norfolk IslandersIndo-European → Germanic → English, Indo-European → Germanic → English Creole → Pitcairn–Norfolk → NorfukAustralia Irreligion, Christianity → Protestantism → Anglicanism
NuguriansAustronesian → Polynesian → NuguriaPapua New Guinea Christianity
NukumanuAustronesian → Polynesian → NukumanuPapua New Guinea Christianity
NukuoransAustronesian → Polynesian → NukuoroFederated States of Micronesia Christianity
OuvéansAustronesian → Polynesian → West UveanFrance Christianity
PākehāIndo-European → Germanic →English → New Zealand EnglishNew ZealandIrreligion, Christianity
PalauansAustronesian → Malayo-Polynesian → Palauan; Indo-European → Germanic → English → Palauan EnglishPalauChristianity, Modekngei
PalawaIndo-European → Germanic → English; Palawa kani; historically Tasmanian languagesAustralia Alcheringa
PileniAustronesian → Polynesian → Vaeakau-TaumakoSolomon Islands Christianity
PintupiPama-Nyungan → Wati → PintupiAustralia Dreamtime
Pitcairn IslandersIndo-European → Germanic → English, Indo-European → Germanic → English Creole → Pitcairn-Norfolk → PitkernBritish Overseas Territories Significant population in Norfolk Island, along with a diaspora in Australia, and New ZealandChristianity → Protestantism → Seventh-day Adventism
PitjantjaraPama-Nyungan → Wati → PitjantjaraAustralia Alcheringa
PohnpeiansAustronesian → Micronesian → PohnpeianFederated States of Micronesia Christianity
Rapa ItiAustronesian → Polynesian → RapaFrance Christianity
Rapa NuiAustronesian → Polynesian → Rapa NuiChile Christianity → Catholicism
RennelleseAustronesian → Polynesian → RennelleseSolomon Islands Christianity
RotumansAustronesian → Central Pacific → RotumanFiji Christianity → Protestantism → Seventh-day Adventism, Methodism; Catholicism
SamoansAustronesian → Polynesian → SamoanSamoan Islands American Samoans, Samoan Samoans, with significant populations in New Zealand, the United StatesChristianity
SikaianaAustronesian → Polynesian → SikaianaSolomon Islands Christianity
SonsoroleseAustronesian → Micronesian → SonsorolesePalau Christianity
South Sea IslandersIndo-European → Germanic → English → Australian EnglishAustralia Christianity
TabaruWest Papuan → North Halmahera → TabaruIndonesia Animism
TahitiansAustronesian → Polynesian → TahitianFrance Christianity
TakuuAustronesian → Polynesian → TakuuPapua New Guinea Christianity
TernateWest Papuan → North Halmahera → TernateIndonesia Tubo, Tobona, Tabanga, Toboleu, Ibu, Jailolo, Ternate-PortugueseIslam → Sunni Islam, Animism
TidoreWest Papuan → North Halmahera → TidoreIndonesia Islam
TikopiaAustronesian → Polynesian → TikopiaSolomon Islands Christianity
TiwiTiwiAustralia Alcheringa
TobatiAustronesian → North New Guinea → TobatiIndonesia Christianity, Islam
TobeloWest Papuan → North Halmahera → TobeloIndonesia Dodinga, Boeng, Kao, MabaChristianity → Protestantism, Animism, Islam → Sunni Islam
TobiansAustronesian → Micronesian → TobianPalau Christianity
TogutilsWest Papuan → North Halmahera → TogutilIndonesia Totodoku, Tukur-Tukur, Lolobata, Kobekulo, BuliAnimism, Christianity, Islam
TokelauansAustronesian → Polynesian → TokelauanTokelauChristianity → Congregationalism
TongansAustronesian → Polynesian → TonganTongaTongan HawaiiansChristianity
Torres Strait IslandersPama-Nyungan → Kalaw Lagaw Ya, Eastern Trans-Fly → Meriam, Indo-European → Germanic → English → Torres Strait CreoleAustralia Christianity
TuamotuansAustronesian → Polynesian → TuamotuanFrance Christianity
TuvaluansAustronesian → Polynesian → TuvaluanTuvaluKioaChristianity
Wakka WakkaPama-Nyungan → Waka-Gabi → Wakka WakkaAustralia Dreamtime
WallisiansAustronesian → Polynesian → WallisianFrance Christianity
WarlpirisPama–Nyungan → Ngumpin–Yapa → Warlpiri, Indo-European and Pama–Nyungan → Warlpiri and Australian Kriol → Light WarlpiriAustralia Dreamtime
WaropenAustronesian → South Halmahera–West New Guinea → WaropenIndonesia Christianity
WikPama-Nyungan → Paman → WikAustralia Wik-Mungkan, Wiknantjara, Wikmean, Wikepa, Wik-kalkan, Wikapatja, WikampamaDreamtime
WiradjuriPama-Nyungan → Wiradhuric → WiradjuriAustralia Dreamtime
WorrorraWorrorran → WorrrorraAustralia Dreamtime
WunambalWorrorran → WunambalAustralia Dreamtime
YaliTrans-New Guinea → YaliIndonesia Christianity, Animism
YapeseAustronesian → Oceanic → YapeseFederated States of Micronesia Christianity
YolnguPama-Nyungan → YolnguAustralia Dhuwa, Yirritja Alcheringa
YugambehPama-Nyungan → Bandjalangic → YugambehAustralia Alcheringa
ꞋAreꞌareAustronesian → Southeast Solomonic → ꞋAreꞌareSolomon Islands Christianity