Vanuatu is an island archipelago in the western South Pacific with over 80 islands spanning about 810 miles (1300km) in distance, north to south. The region has rich biological diversity and is considered to be included within the Coral Triangle, a region recognized as the global center of marine biodiversity and a global priority for conservation. 90% of households fish and consume fish and their food security depends upon healthy oceans. Most of those families also farm the land, directly tying their food security to forestry and fishery practices. In Vanuatu connections between ocean, land, harvesting and conservation are explicit and immediate.
The intimate relationship between Ni-Vanuatu (the people of Vanuatu) and their lands and seas finds expression in the densest language diversity on the planet, with over 120 languages in active use among its roughly 270,000 inhabitants! In a world where a language disappears roughly every 14 days, such rich diversity encompasses a wealth of traditional ecological knowledge managed within complex social communities. This linguistic diversity encompasses detailed local knowledge of plants, animals, and ecological processes.
The intimate relationship between Ni-Vanuatu (the people of Vanuatu) and their lands and seas finds expression in the densest language diversity on the planet, with over 120 languages in active use among its roughly 270,000 inhabitants! In a world where a language disappears roughly every 14 days, such rich diversity encompasses a wealth of traditional ecological knowledge managed within complex social communities. This linguistic diversity encompasses detailed local knowledge of plants, animals, and ecological processes.
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Ni-Vanuatu usually speak at LEAST 3 languages: their local language, Bislama, and either English or French. Most speak more than 3! Here, the kindergarten children of Melip on South Malekula are singing a song about sea turtles in 2 languages. Our partners, the Vanua-tai Resource Monitors, have done amazing work in the region spreading awareness about turtle conservation in an area where turtle meat has a long history in traditional diet and custom.
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The Malvatu Mauri, or National Council of Chiefs, is a formal advisory body of chiefs recognized by the constitution of the Republic of Vanuatu. Members of the Council are elected by their fellow chiefs sitting in district councils of chiefs. The Council plays a significant role in advising the government on all matters concerning ni-Vanuatu culture and languages. ("Mal" means chief, "vatu" means stone, island, or place, and "mauri" means something that is alive.)
Ni-Vanuatu are largely subsistence and small-scale artisanal harvesters. While classed by the United Nation's as one of the world's poorest countries, it is also important to recognize that well-being is not always best or uniquely measured in strict monetary terms. The Vanuatu government and Chiefs' council stress the importance of supporting the vitality of traditional value systems as integral to Vanuatu's future and ability to adapt to climate change, population changes, and encroaching economies of scale which are impacting the region's diversity with great speed and consequence.
Ni-Vanuatu are largely subsistence and small-scale artisanal harvesters. While classed by the United Nation's as one of the world's poorest countries, it is also important to recognize that well-being is not always best or uniquely measured in strict monetary terms. The Vanuatu government and Chiefs' council stress the importance of supporting the vitality of traditional value systems as integral to Vanuatu's future and ability to adapt to climate change, population changes, and encroaching economies of scale which are impacting the region's diversity with great speed and consequence.
Vanuatu is a region of rich diversity of land and seascapes.
