Austronesian peoples

Austronesian peoples are a large group of various peoples in Taiwan, Island Southeast Asia, Micronesia, coastal New Guinea, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Madagascar, that speak the Austronesian languages. The nations and territories predominantly populated by Austronesian-speaking peoples are known collectively as Austronesia.

History

The Austronesian peoples are believed to have originated in Taiwan around 3000 BC. From there, they began to spread out across the islands of Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean. This migration is known as the Austronesian expansion.

Culture

Austronesian cultures have many similarities. They are generally characterized by a complex social structure, including a chiefdom system, and a strong emphasis on ancestral worship. Many Austronesian societies are matrilineal, with descent traced through the mother's line. They also share similar artistic motifs, such as the use of geometric patterns and nature-inspired designs in their tattoos, textiles, and carvings.

Languages

The Austronesian languages are a family of languages spoken by the Austronesian peoples. They are among the widest-ranging language families in the world, both geographically and in number of languages. The family includes more than 1,200 languages, which are spoken by about 386 million people.

Religion

The traditional religions of the Austronesian peoples are diverse, but they often involve animism, ancestor worship, and the belief in a spiritual realm that coexists with the physical world. Many Austronesian peoples have also adopted Christianity, Islam, or other religions introduced through colonization and migration.

See also

• Austronesian languages
• Austronesian expansion
• Austronesia
• Polynesians
• Melanesians
• Micronesians