Cultural practices, observances, customs and lore are aspects of Indigenous heritage values that are passed down from generation to generation. Cultural practices place a critical role in the identity of First Nations peoples and helps maintain their connections to their Land and Sea Country, ancestors and way of life. This component includes skills, folklore, rituals, spirituality and intellectual traditions. Approximately 20,000 years ago, the sea level around the Australian coast was around 120 metres lower than present.608 1105 Traditional lands would have extended out to the continental shelf; these areas are now underwater.15
Cultural practices, observances, customs and lore is largely intangible and can be difficult to record. Some Great Barrier Reef Traditional Owner groups manage databases and records of these values. For example, Mandubarra Traditional Owners have compiled their own internal, restricted-access cultural heritage database to record site-specific traditional knowledge, which is directly managed by Mandubarra Aboriginal Land and Sea Inc. (Section 8.5.2). Some values have been recorded in Sea Country values mapping.76
Traditional Owners maintain connections to their Country, ancestors and way of life
One of the greatest threats to this type of Indigenous heritage is loss of Indigenous knowledge if Elders and knowledge holders pass away or if knowledge transfer does not occur. This issue was exacerbated by limitations on gatherings and intergenerational interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic,1106 despite generally successful community-led responses that ensured good direct health outcomes.1107,1108 The pandemic had indirect effects on the mental health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples, amplifying pre-existing disparities and stressors.1106,1109 Cultural practices are also being affected by the impacts of climate change, for example changes in the location and seasonal availability of traditional foods leading to a loss of cooking practices.1110
Other contributing threats include difficulties Traditional Owners face in exercising their cultural and customary rights and responsibilities. For example, if access to an area important for cultural observance is blocked (by infrastructure) or reduced (through increased or possibly conflicting use and visitation by other users) it affects the ability for transfer of that knowledge to younger generations. Overall, it is assumed that cultural practices, observances, customs, and lore are being maintained across the Region.
