Jean-Marie Tjibaou

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Jean-Marie Tjibaou (1936 – 1989) was involved in politics in New Caledonia. During the 1970s, he undertook a thesis in ethnology at the Sorbonne. While he did not complete his studies, he became engaged in cultural and ethnicity issues on New Caledonia. In 1975 he arranged the Melanesia 2000 festival, which emphasized the Kanak identity.

Tjibaou made his way into politics when he ran for the municipal election in Hienghène in 1977, where he was appointed mayor of Hienghène. In 1979 he was made territorial councilor in the newly-formed Independence Front. In 1984 he was appointed head of the FLNKS and later that year also president of the New Caledonian provisional government.

Jean-Marie Tjibaou was assassinated May 4, 1989 in Ouvéa.

[edit] References

• http://www.adck.nc/
• French language Wikipedia article