All The Proud Tribesmen

Kylie Tennant’s “All the Proud Tribesmen” emerges as a surprisingly sensitive portrayal of a Torres Strait Islander community for a work published in the late 1950s. The novel is told through the eyes of 12-year-old Kerri, a boy raised by a white schoolmistress on an idyllic island. Disaster strikes when their home is destroyed by a volcanic eruption, forcing the community to relocate to an island they believe to be cursed.

Tennant’s narrative is laudable for weaving in authentic cultural elements such as the kupai omasker adoption practice, enriching the story with a depth often missing from period literature. However, the novel isn’t without its complexities, particularly in the depiction of the white schoolmistress whose influence over the island community strays into the white saviour trope. This character is highly respected and pivotal in orchestrating the community’s response to the crisis, yet her predominance in decision-making sometimes overshadows the local customs and the agency of the Islanders themselves.

While Tennant offers a vivid depiction of island life and customs, there’s a noticeable inclination towards portraying the Islanders with an overly simplistic “happy tribe” demeanor, a reflection of the era’s limited perspective on indigenous narratives. Additionally, much of the critical action unfolds in Kerri’s absence, leading to a narrative that occasionally drifts and loses the immediacy of his personal experience.

Nevertheless, “All the Proud Tribesmen” stands out for its rich setting and engaging plot. Tennant’s commitment to authenticity and her compelling storytelling provide a valuable window into the life and trials of the Torres Strait Islanders during a period of upheaval. This novel is not only an important piece of Australian children’s literature but also an interesting study in how indigenous communities are portrayed in historical fiction.