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Vanuatu, "the country that stands up"

Formerly called New Hebrides, this Melanesian archipelago became an independent state in 1980 under the name of Vanuatu, "the country that stands up."

Its new flag has two red and green horizontal strips separated from a black triangle by a Y-shaped yellow strip which reflects the geographical position of the islands. The red stands for the blood of men and pigs, the green, richness, the black the people and the yellow the light of the gospel. In the centre of the triangle are a pig's tusk and two crossed fern fronds.

The grade system

In Vanuatu, a complex grade system enables men to increase their power in the world of the living and their influence in the world of the dead. Moving up a grade is regulated by a codified set of rules, ceremonies and rites. The candidate must produce wealth and sacrifice pigs and then stand before his elders in the course of several ceremonies. Only then will he be authorised to wear the paraphernalia corresponding to his grade: combs, hair ornaments, masks, tapa belts, face paint, necklaces and bracelets made from curved pig's tusks.

A rise in grade is complemented by the erection of commemorative monuments around the dance area such as tree fern statues.

Etul, Chief of Fanla village, north Ambrym (Vanuatu). Photograph by Eric Lafforgue, 2007 © Éric Lafforgue

Bibliograpy

• Bonnemaison, Joël et al. (dir). 1996. Vanuatu Océanie. Arts des îles de cendre et de corail. Paris: Editions de la Réunion des musées nationaux