Political Controversy Still Rages In Vanuatu.
Two weeks on from the general election in Vanuatu, in the South Pacific and it seems there is still a lot of emotion running high. The position of Prime Minister is still not settled and emotions are boiling over in lesser areas of the political scene. Taboos are being threatened.

/Politics News Articles/ - Vanuatu, September 20, 2008 - It is now over two weeks since the general election took place in Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, but the controversy still continues to rage behind closed doors, as political parties jostle to form a coalition government. The coveted position of Prime Minister is being hotly contested. However, feelings are also boiling over in lesser areas of the political scene.

On Tuesday 16th September, the celebration day for Penama province, a small group of tropical islands in Vanuatu, a peace ceremony was performed. It had been alleged that the unsuccessful candidate in the recent elections, Chief Molbarab's, had been counting on votes from the Vanuatu Agricultural and Technical Centre. When the votes did not come through as expected, tension was quickly created between Chief's Molbarab's family and the Centre. It was alleged the Chief would place namele leaves at the entrance to the centre, effectively closing it down.

Namele leaves from the Chief's Palm are a very real threat in Vanuatu culture. If two namele leaves are crossed over and placed on any business, the staff will not enter the property, no matter what was said to try to convince them otherwise. The business grinds to a resounding halt and remains that way until the dispute is cleared up.

Namele leaves, which are seen on the Vanuatu flag as a sign of peace, along with the pig tusks, a symbol of wealth, are also used as a very strong emblem of taboo. If a senior person or family feel they have the right to the fruit of a particular tree, all they have to do is tie a namele leaf on the trunk. Anyone breaking the taboo is liable to a fine that will be reinforced by the chief of the village.
Two weeks ago namele leaves were placed across a dental clinic, through a dispute. Even though patients were booked in for appointments, the clinic was forced to keep its doors closed until the dispute is settled.

In a dispute over the illegal use of some land as a village garden, the chief owning the property placed several sets of crossed namele leaves around the property and then killed a pig over the top of the leaves, in order to make the magic of the leaves even stronger. The offenders were ordered by the chief, to pay one pig each, for wrongful use of the land. When the six offenders refused to obey custom law, they were hauled into white man's court and ended up being totally banned from using the land, forced to pay the full court costs for the defendant, plus still owing the chief a pig each.
It is hoped that no more peace ceremonies or the threatened use of namele leaves will be necessary before the political scene in Vanuatu quietness' down. Though there is no doubt there will yet be some rocky days ahead for the new politicians.


Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation, Vanuatu, (http://youmesupport.org) providing high school education grants through a Blue Moon Opportunity. You can really help make a difference in some great kids lives. Take a few minutes to check it out http://winaresort.com

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