'Never alone': Bislama Language Week keeps Vanuatu culture strong from Port Vila to NZ

Vanuatu is around 2000 kilometres north-east of Aotearoa New Zealand with the two countries connected through strong Pacific ties, migration, education and family links.

Vanuatu has a population of about 335,000 people while more than 15,000 people live in New Zealand identify as ni-Vanuatu, according to the 2023 New Zealand Census.

Bislama remains a key part of ni-Vanuatu identity with communities in Aotearoa continuing to speak the language and pass it on through families and generations.

From the streets of Port Vila to the classrooms of Auckland, Ashley Kaukare carries a language that connects him to his home, his family and his people.

As Aotearoa marks Vanuatu Bislama Language Week from 26 July to 1 August, the University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau student hopes more people will discover the language and culture behind one of the Pacific’s most unique identities.

For Kaukare, Bislama is more than just a way of speaking.

The youngest of four siblings, Ashley Kaukare grew up in Port Vila where his parents run a law firm. Photo/University of Auckland

It is part of who he is. “I grew up speaking Bislama, which is my first language,” he says.

The first-year Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Communication student grew up in Port Vila, where Bislama was part of everyday life.

Now living in Auckland, he sees the language week as an important chance to share Vanuatu’s story with a wider audience.

University of Auckland student Ashley Kaukare is proud to share Bislama, his first language, and the Vanuatu culture and family values that have shaped his identity from Port Vila to Aotearoa. Photo/Supplied

“I'm very excited to see how our culture and our language are spreading internationally,” he says. “Hopefully everyone can learn something from our culture.”

Kaukare says seeing Bislama celebrated in New Zealand is especially meaningful because Melanesian cultures can sometimes receive less attention within wider Pacific celebrations.

“When Bislama Language Week came last year, I was so happy,” he says.

“I was there at Waikato when they celebrated it and I was happy to see it growing.”

Watch Vanuatu Bislama Language Week launch below.

Kaukare says celebrating Bislama is also about celebrating his identity as a ni-Vanuatu and a Melanesian.

“I'm proud of my language, my culture and my family,” he says. “I'm proud to be dark-skinned. I'm proud of being Melanesian.”

Family and community sit at the heart of Vanuatu culture, and Kaukare says those values have stayed with him while studying away from home.

The youngest of four siblings, Kaukare grew up in Port Vila with his parents, who run a law firm.

His siblings are also continuing their studies overseas, with two brothers in New Zealand and a sister in Australia.

Vanuatu is home to more than 100 Indigenous languages, with Bislama serving as a national language that connects people across the country's many islands and communities. Photo/beautifulworld.com

But he says family in Vanuatu goes beyond blood relatives.

“Islanders always need to stick together with families. It can be your family, your church members, your community. We go everywhere together.”

Asked what that sense of togetherness means, Ashley keeps it simple. “Never alone.”

That spirit of looking after each other also extends to visitors.

“When a visitor comes, we always show kindness,” he says. “We make sure they feel comfortable. That's what my parents always do.”

Photo/Britannica

After moving to New Zealand, Ashley noticed many people knew little about Vanuatu.

“Most people don't know where Vanuatu is,” he says. “Sometimes I have to explain it using Fiji, New Caledonia or Australia.”

That is why he believes Vanuatu Bislama Language Week is important, not only for ni-Vanuatu communities but for anyone wanting to learn more about the Pacific.

His message to those joining the celebrations is simple: “Tangkyu tumas. God i stap wetem yu. Thank you very much. May God be with you.”

The Vanuatu flag. Photo/supplied

Ni-Vanuatu will also celebrate their country's 46th independence anniversary from British and French colonial rule on Thursday, 30 July,

For more information on the Vanuatu Bislama Language Week, click here.

Source: University of Auckland