Melanesian People
The Diversity of Melanesian
Culture and Vanuatu islands
The area of the world referred to as Melanesia includes the Pacific
Islands that lie in an arc beginning with New Guinea and extending in a southwesterly direction to Fiji. The
culture of the native people inhabiting this area is a tremendously diverse one, and has been given the overarching
title of “Melanesian Culture”.
Much like the diversity that exists in the various Pacific islands peoples of the Polynesian and Micronesian areas, the many elements
of social, genetic, linguistic and cultural features among the Melanesian people are similar from island to island,
but each group has developed a unique world and life view.
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Vanuatu islanders are mostly of Melanesian origin who
respect
their customs ('kastom'), and like to share their cultural values
with the visitors,
including fondness for music and dance. |
European
Influence
For example, the people of the island nation Vanuatu have seen their
cultural values shift and alter geographically throughout the island due to the settlement and influence of
European peoples. The Melanesian people in the northern areas of Vanuatu determine wealth by the amount an
individual can give away.
In the southern parts of the island nation a more Western method of
determining social ranking and wealth is utilized, where grants of title and associated privileges are valued. The
middle of the country sees the Melanesian culture adhering to more traditional
standards, where livestock of a certain appearance determines wealth and rank, and traditional ceremonies are still
performed.
Bislama
Language

Melanesian woman from Mele
village prepares a meal with
coconuts.
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The language known as “Bislama” is the formal language of the native Melanesian people, as well as the most often
spoken language in the nation.
There are however approximately one hundred and ten native languages still used in
Vanuatu. The nation is considered to have the highest density of spoken
languages in the world.
Many of the native Melanesian people have also learned to speak both English and
French to accommodate the fusion of their culture with Western cultures.
Kastom
Singing
The Vanuatu people also preserve traditional Melanesian music, and it
is a thriving cultural event in the country. The “kastom singing” and associated instruments, including drums, rattles and gongs are still
relied upon for entertainment and occasionally performed for ritual communication. This music has also been
transformed by its introduction into the Western world and today a popular music in the South Pacific is based on this earlier, more traditional format.
The Melanesian cultural factors will differ from island region to
island region, and it is important that Melanesian people and their governments continue to foster and support
efforts at preserving and educating visitors and residents about the native peoples and their cultures. To that end
several islands have developed museums and historical societies aimed at preserving artifacts and histories of the
native peoples.
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