Now to a group that was formed to restore tradition, language and local culture.

They're from the islands of the Torres Strait, just north of the Australian mainland.

But, as Clement Paligaru discovers, the islands' cultural practices have much in common with other Pacific nations.

Clement Paligaru: They live within sight of Papua New Guinea and their traditions owe more to Melanesia than the Outback. Yet they're as indigenous Australian as mainland Aborigines.

Jeff Aniba-Waia, of the Airu Panipan dance group: We are the ones that occupy the islands between the southern coast of PNG and the northern tip of Cape York, Australia.

Clement Paligaru: The islands are also very much part of the Pacific.

Jeff Aniba-Waia: We eat food that is similar, we dress similar. A lot of our songs and dance are influenced by the Pacific nations

Clement Paligaru: Elders formed the dance group to introduce the world to Torres Strait culture - and to counter the erosion of language and traditional practices on the islands.

Jeff Aniba-Waia: The Aboriginal culture of mainland Australia is using their bodies to imitate the creatures of the sea or creatures of the sea. We mainly use head dress to imitate the creatures of the sea, the sky and the land.

Clement Paligaru: But he also acknowledges the evolution of culture across generations.

Jeff Aniba-Waia: Today's world is so influenced by media, we have to adapt ourselves, we have to be like an octopus that changes colour to its own environment, to attract and to protect.

If they can do rap in America and if they can do rap in the Pacific and we can also do rap in Torres Strait.

One has to change with the tide but one has to have his own roots, roots planted into his own soil, and that makes me who I am.