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Neotraditionalism-‐Examining the Role of Traditional Revival in Vanuatu

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Neotraditionalism-‐Examining the Role of Traditional Revival in Vanuatu Neotraditionalism-Examining the Role of Traditional Revival in Vanuatu Author: Malin Hassler Supervisor: Anders Nilsson Examiner: Manuela Nilsson Semester: Spring 2012 Linnaeus University School of Social Sciences Bachelor thesis in Peace and Development Studies Malin Hassler Acknowledgements Many people have helped me in the work for this thesis and guided me through the problems that arose on the way. I would like to thank Loti, for following me on my journey through Vanuatu and for being my friend. Thank you also Miguel and Ivan, for your support and patience. I wish to express gratitude to all the interviewees who patiently have answered my questions and for the people that opened up their homes to me. I hope I someday will be able to return the favor. Finally I would like to thank the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency for providing me with the financial support to realize my study in Vanuatu, and my tutor Anders Nilsson, for always believing in his students. ~ 2 ~ Linnaeus University School of Social Sciences Bachelor thesis in Peace and Development Studies Malin Hassler Abstract Contrary to the predictions made by classical modernization theory that ethnic traditions and religion would die out, they have proved to be surprisingly resilient throughout the world. In contemporary times various revitalization movements have been on the rise and from Africa to Asia scholars have been debating what seems to be a growing attention to tradition and culture. This thesis, based on empirical material from a minor field study in Vanuatu, will elaborate upon revivalist tendencies in a small island country. The purpose of the thesis is to examine expressions of revival of tradition, their causes and their possible implications for the country and its inhabitants. Modernization theory and the contesting paradigm of Alternative development create the foundation of the work while Globalization and the notion of Neotraditionalism are used as further theoretical points of reference. The thesis main findings are that tradition is used as a political strategy in Vanuatu and that a present neotraditional ideology offers both opportunities and pitfalls to the future development of the country. Based on the understanding gained from the field study, the message of this thesis lies in the importance of keeping an open mind when discussing development. Key Words Neotraditionalism • Revival • Vanuatu • Globalization • Indigenous• Alternative development • Sustainability ~ 3 ~ Linnaeus University School of Social Sciences Bachelor thesis in Peace and Development Studies Malin Hassler Table of content 1. Introduction and research problem ..................................................................................... 7 1.1 Purpose of the study ............................................................................................................ 9 1.2 Research questions .............................................................................................................. 9 1.3 Relevance of the study ........................................................................................................ 9 1.4 Disposition .......................................................................................................................... 10 2. Methodological design ........................................................................................................... 11 2.1 Interviews in the field ...................................................................................................... 13 2.1.1 Rural areas ..................................................................................................................................... 14 2.1.2 Urban areas .................................................................................................................................... 15 2.1.3 Young adults .................................................................................................................................. 15 2.1.4 Older generations ........................................................................................................................ 16 2.1.5 Organizations ................................................................................................................................ 16 2.2 Anonymity and other sources of information ......................................................... 16 2.3 Validity and reliability of the ethnographic method ............................................. 17 2.4 Field study dilemmas ....................................................................................................... 18 3. Theoretical frameworks ........................................................................................................ 20 3.1 Modernization and Social Change ............................................................................... 20 3.2 The Rise of the Alternative Development paradigm ............................................. 23 3.2 1 Another Development ............................................................................................................... 24 3.3 Globalization and its counteractions .......................................................................... 25 3.4 Neotraditionalism ............................................................................................................. 27 4. Vanuatu –brief background information ......................................................................... 30 4.1 An (almost) interconnected world .............................................................................. 30 4.2 The Legacy of Colonialism .............................................................................................. 31 4.3 Customary ownership of land and the recent land boom ................................... 33 4.4 The Political and Legal System(s) ................................................................................ 34 4.5 Kastom .................................................................................................................................. 35 4.6 Chiefs ..................................................................................................................................... 36 4.7 The Malvatumauri and the Vanuatu Cultural Centre (VKS) ............................... 36 5. Result and Analysis ................................................................................................................. 38 5.1 Neotraditionalism: the revival of tradition and the discourse of identity in Vanuatu ........................................................................................................................................ 38 5.1.1 Tendencies of revival in contemporary Vanuatu .......................................................... 38 5.1.2 Strengthening of Chiefs ............................................................................................................. 39 5.1.3 Turaga- kastom movement of today ................................................................................... 40 5.1.4 The Malvatumauri and the Vanuatu Cultural Centre as strong promoters of kastom ......................................................................................................................................................... 41 5.1.5 Incorporating traditional knowledge in the school system ...................................... 43 5.1.6 Views on tradition and kastom among other strata of the population ................ 43 5.1.7 Kastom in rural areas ................................................................................................................ 44 5.1.8 Kastom as a strong identity marker among urban young ......................................... 46 ~ 4 ~ Linnaeus University School of Social Sciences Bachelor thesis in Peace and Development Studies Malin Hassler 5.1.9 Roots of neotraditionalism in Vanuatu .............................................................................. 49 5.1.10 Short summary of the chapter ............................................................................................ 52 5.2. Towards a Museum, New Middle Age, or a Sustainable Future? - Implications of a neotraditional ideology ................................................................................................. 53 5.2.1 Creating a living Museum? ...................................................................................................... 53 5.2.2 Towards a New Middle Age? .................................................................................................. 56 5.2.3 Moving forward by looking back? ........................................................................................ 63 5.2.4 Short summary of the chapter ............................................................................................... 67 6. Final debate ................................................................................................................................ 69 6.1 Concluding remarks ......................................................................................................... 70 7. Recommendations for future studies ................................................................................ 73 8. References .................................................................................................................................. 74 8.1 Published sources ............................................................................................................
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