Vanua
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In Fijian and in Fiji English, vanua is an essential concept of indigenous Fijian culture and society. It is generally translated in English as "land", but vanua as a concept encompasses a number of inter-related meanings. When speaking in English, Fijians may use the word vanua rather than an imprecise English equivalent. According to Fijian academic Asesela Ravuvu, a correct translation would be "land, people and custom". Vanua means "the land area one is identified with", but also
- "the people, their traditions and customs, beliefs and values, and the various other institutions established for the sake of achieving harmony, solidarity and prosperity within a particular social context. [...] It provides a sense of identity and belonging. [...] The vanua [...] is an extension of the concept of the self."[1]
An indigenous Fijian person is thus defined through his or her land; the concepts of personhood and land ownership are viewed as inseperable. This is also the case for other indigenous peoples of Oceania, such as Australian Aboriginals (see: Dreaming) and New Zealand Maori (see: iwi).
A vanua is also a confederation of several yavusa ("clans" established through descent from a common ancestor). A vanua in this sense is associated with its ownership of an area of vanua in the sense of "land"; the various meanings of vanua are, here too, interrelated.[2] [3]
In Vanuatu, vanua also means land. The name of the Vanua'aku Pati literally means "Our Land Party". Hence also the name of Vanuatu itself, which means "eternal land" or "rising land"[4] [5].
The word vanua is found in the place names Vanua Levu, Vanua Lava, Vanua Balavu and Vanuatu.
[edit] Politics
Indigenous land ownership is a key issue in conservative and indigenous nationalistic Fijian politics. Several right-wing, essentially indigenous parties refer to vanua in their names:
[edit] References
- ^ Asesela Ravuvu, 1983, quoted in: Stephanie Sienkiewicz, "Ethnic relations in Fiji: Peaceful coexistence and the recent shift in the ethnic balance", Union College Department of Anthropology, June 2000
- ^ Sienkiewicz, ibid
- ^ Fiji Native Land Trust Board glossary
- ^ University of the South Pacific
- ^ BBC
