Even with the arrival of Europeans to the South Pacific, there was little immediately impact on the culture of Kiribati, although many people did die due to European diseases. The Europeans had little interest in colonizing or settling these coral reefs so primarily left the people alone. However, many Europeans and Americans stopped on expeditions, particularly whaling expeditions, slowly introducing the people to new technologies and a changing lifestyle. In a more dramatic fashion, missionaries arrived to the islands and converted many people to Christianity. This changed the culture in many ways, from the obvious like building and attending church to a change in clothing as the people became more modest.
In the 1900s the culture continued changing, particularly due to American, British, and other European influence. The country was also formed, uniting various island chains that had many similarities in culture, language, and lifestyle, but were never truly one. Since this time the people have created a more unified culture and lifestyle, which shares similarities and incorporates new technology and communication. However, for many people their culture begins with their local community, island, or island chain and for all of these people their culture and lifestyle remains rooted in their Melanesian and Polynesian past.