DREAMS OF UNITY, TRADITIONS OF DIVISION: John Frum, kastom and inter-manipulation strategies as cultural heritage on Tanna (Vanuatu)
2009; Routledge; Volume: 55; Linguagem: Inglês
ISSN
0078-7809
Autores Tópico(s)New Caledonia Indigenous Studies
ResumoTanna is the most highly populated island (approximately 30000 inhabitants) in Tafea, the southern province of the Republic of Vanuatu; formerly known as the New Hebrides, this archipelago has been an independent island state since 1980.1 Geographically located halfway between the shores of New Caledonia and Port Vila, the country's capital on the island of Efate, Tanna, stands at the cultural crossroads between these two areas. Despite the constant flow of Tannese migrants towards Port Vila, they are renowned among other ni-Vanuatu fellow citizens for having maintained strong traditions on their home island. However, like many other Pacific island communities, they have been consistently manipulated since the period of first contacts by traders, settlers, missionaries and colonial delegates, as well as anthropologists. By manipulation I mean that these intruders were exerting their influence over indigenous peoples with the aim of exploiting their manpower, alienating their land and converting, knowing and dominating them. However, Tannese have never bowed their heads. To quote the historian Ron Adams,
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