WALLIS AND FUTUNA

               WALLIS AND FUTUNA

Wallis and Futuna is a French overseas department part of French Polynesia located in the South Pacific Ocean comprising of the islands of Wallis (which is more populated) and Futuna and Alofi ( which is volcanic and I read that it has just one inhabitant! ). Interestingly the islanders have a mix of their own ancient traditions admixed with French traditions.

Wallis islanders have their culture and language strongly linked to Tonga whereas Futuna has its language strongly linked to Samoa. This is as a result of earlier influence of the islands by these countries. Wallis and Futuna islands were never colonised but decided to be part of the French Republic while maintaining its 3 kingdoms which adds a distinction to these islands which comprise of 3 kingdoms - one in Wallis and two in Futuna (Alo and Sigave ).

The 3 kingdoms as mentioned earlier still maintain the chieftain system similiar to a king. The 1st postcard I received from Wallis and Futuna shows the Kava ceremony which signifies the appointment of the new king and a tribute to the gods as per Polynesian traditions. Kava is a plant belonging to the pepper family, the roots and branches of which are prepared ceremonially in a traditional bowl called tanoa. It is a key ceremony. My friend Mike sent me the postcard postmarked at Mata'utu in December. Excellent work by the post office.

Kava Ceremony

Postmarked in Mata'utu on 23/12/2019

Mike again sent me a postcard I designed by myself postmarked at Mata'utu in January which was a nice surprise. It shows the church at Futuna. Futuna is the smaller of the islands with about 3500 inhabitants who are predominantly catholics. An island of 50 sq.km, it has 21 villages with each village having its own church. My postcard shows an unfinished catholic church located in the North Eastern part of the beautiful island of Futuna.

The  church on construction in North east of Futuna

Postmarked in Mata'utu on 14/01/2020