Ni-Vanuatu
Melanesian ethnic groups native to the island country of Vanuatu / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ni-Vanuatu (informally abbreviated Ni-Van) is a large group of closely related Melanesian ethnic groups native to the island country of Vanuatu. As such, Ni-Vanuatu are a mixed ethnolinguistic group with a shared ethnogenesis that speak a multitude of languages.[1][2][3][4]
Total population | |
---|---|
c. 300,000 | |
Regions with significant populations | |
Vanuatu c. 270,000 | |
Languages | |
English, French, Bislama, over 100 Oceanic languages | |
Religion | |
Christian (Presbyterian, Anglican, Roman Catholic), Animism | |
Related ethnic groups | |
other Melanesian peoples |
Ni-Vanuatu or Ni-Van is usually restricted to the indigenous population of Vanuatu. It contrasts with the demonym Vanuatuan, which in principle refers to any citizen of Vanuatu, regardless of their origin or ethnicity. (The form Vanuatuan is in fact rarely used in English, and is regarded as incorrect by some authors and style guides.[5][6][7])
Indigenous people of Vanuatu have English and French influences due to the history of colonialism from the British and French, which leads to the main languages of English, Bislama and French being spoken.[8]
The cultural aspects of Ni-Vanuatu society have been instilled on the indigenous community and are expressed through clothing, rituals, ceremonies, music, performing and fine arts, and cuisine.[9] The spiritual ties Ni-Vanuatu have with their land and ancestors are conveyed through these traditions and some of these remaining artefacts have been preserved and displayed in galleries of Vanuatu.