The local customs

The clan, which includes individuals recognizing a common ancestor, is the basis of Kanak social organization. The life of these communities is lived in the rhythm of social and agricultural activities occurring on a particular calendar: the calendar of the yam. The culture of the tuber, associated with the male partner, plays a very important role. The planting and especially the harvesting of yams is accompanied by large festive ceremonies. All stages of its culture (preparation of the soil, germination, planting, growth, and the appearance of leaves ...) are associated with specific times and community events (weddings, periods of mourning (funerals), alliances, consecrating the chief (coronation) ...).

Relationships between communities is possible due to the traditional travel routes that are governed by exchange rituals: Customs.
Establishing a custom means building a privileged and unique relationship with an individual or group of individuals in a specific time. It is about recognizing one another. Verbal exchanges rely on donations, of which the most important are traditionally the Kanak currencies representing the ancestor of the clan and the sacred yams. By the customary gesture, we recognize the hierarchy of chiefdom (leadership), its different structures based on rights and an administration similar to that of a village. In the tribes, there is an order, a power to be respected. Therefore, from the leadership we must ask permission to access the sea, the mountains, and travel on the lands belonging to the tribe.

Outside Noumea, the Kanak culture is part of everyday life and it is customary that when you arrive in a tribe, to address the little or big chef and make him a present according to the importance of your request (1,000 F bill is laid upon a piece of material known as “le manou”. In exchange, you will be warmly welcomed and you will gain a hundredfold benefit from being invited to share a unique moment of discovery. Respect for tradition may also mean an that you cannot enter certain taboo places without the prior permission of the clan or tribe’s leaders.