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Content Islanders Reject Capitalism for Traditional Trade
By Nick Squires - New Zealand Herald (12 Dec 2007)
By Nick Squires - New Zealand Herald (12 Dec 2007)
As much of the world embarks on a frenzy of Christmas consumerism, Vanuatu is stubbornly heading in the opposite direction.
It is spurning the cash economy and instead reviving ancient currencies such as pigs, pig tusks, woven grass mats and sea shells.
The Government of Prime Minister Ham Lini declared 2007 the Year of the Traditional Economy and has now extended the campaign into next year.
The initiative has been fuelled by fears that the harsh imperatives of capitalism could destroy Vanuatu's traditional way of life, based on subsistence farming and complicated cultural exchanges.
There is grave concern that the emphasis on acquiring material wealth will lure islanders to shanty towns on the outskirts of the capital, Port Vila, where most will encounter unemployment, poverty and frustration. In rural areas, by contrast, hunger and homelessness are unheard of.
"The mantra of the World Bank and similar organisations is to make as much cash as you can, as fast as you can," said Ralph Regenvanu, an anthropologist from the Vanuatu Cultural Centre and a driving force behind the campaign. "The traditional economy has served us well for thousands of years. We're trying to preserve our cultural heritage in the face of development."
It is spurning the cash economy and instead reviving ancient currencies such as pigs, pig tusks, woven grass mats and sea shells.
The Government of Prime Minister Ham Lini declared 2007 the Year of the Traditional Economy and has now extended the campaign into next year.
The initiative has been fuelled by fears that the harsh imperatives of capitalism could destroy Vanuatu's traditional way of life, based on subsistence farming and complicated cultural exchanges.
There is grave concern that the emphasis on acquiring material wealth will lure islanders to shanty towns on the outskirts of the capital, Port Vila, where most will encounter unemployment, poverty and frustration. In rural areas, by contrast, hunger and homelessness are unheard of.
"The mantra of the World Bank and similar organisations is to make as much cash as you can, as fast as you can," said Ralph Regenvanu, an anthropologist from the Vanuatu Cultural Centre and a driving force behind the campaign. "The traditional economy has served us well for thousands of years. We're trying to preserve our cultural heritage in the face of development."
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