The cultures of the larger Pacific islands and smaller islands can indeed differ in several ways, and your question highlights some key aspects. Here’s a brief overview:
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Ethnic Diversity: Larger Pacific islands (like Papua New Guinea, Fiji, and New Zealand) tend to have more ethnic diversity compared to smaller islands, which may have populations predominantly composed of a single indigenous culture.
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Indigenous Heritage: While both larger and smaller islands have significant indigenous populations, larger islands often have a mix of indigenous groups, each with their own languages, traditions, and cultural practices.
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Traditional Practices: Larger islands often have the capacity to support a wider variety of traditional forms of art, dance, and music due to their larger populations and more complex social structures. While smaller islands may preserve traditional practices, they might be less diverse or vary in complexity due to demographic and resource limitations.
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European Descent: In larger islands, there may be a greater proportion of people of European descent due to historical factors like colonization, migration, and trade, compared to smaller islands where such influences may be less pronounced.
In conclusion, the statement "They tend to be more ethnically diverse" best captures one of the most significant cultural differences between the larger and smaller Pacific islands. However, each island group has its unique characteristics shaped by its history, geography, and demographic composition.