Nagriamel Movement

Vanuatu is a small island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, known for its rich cultural diversity, stunning natural beauty and active volcanoes. But before it became an independent republic in 1980, it was a colony of France and Britain, known as the New Hebrides. Before it achieved its independence, it witnessed a remarkable political movement that challenged the colonial authorities and the plans for nationhood: the Nagriamel movement.

What was the Nagriamel Movement?
The Nagriamel movement was founded in January 1966 by a group of chiefs from the island of Espiritu Santo, the largest and most populous island in the New Hebrides. The name ‘Nagriamel’ was derived from two local plants, nagria (a croton) and mel (a cycas), symbolizing the unity of different tribes and regions. The movement was led by Jimmy Stevens, a charismatic figure who claimed to be a descendant of King David and a messenger of God.
The Nagriamel movement advocated for the preservation of the traditional customs and values of the ni-Vanuatu people (the indigenous inhabitants of the islands), as well as their rights to land and resources. The movement opposed the sale of land to foreign missionaries, planters and traders who by 1971 owned more than 36% of the New Hebrides. The movement also rejected the idea of independence and modernization, fearing that it would erode their culture and identity. Instead, they preferred to maintain a loose association with France and Britain, or to have autonomy for each island or region.
The Nagriamel movement attracted thousands of followers, mostly from the northern islands of the New Hebrides, where French influence was stronger than British. The movement also had ties with the John Frum cargo cult, a religious sect that believed that their ancestors would one day return with goods or ‘cargo’ for them. The movement received secret support from some French officials and politicians, who saw it as a way to undermine the Anglo-centric independence movement led by Walter Lini and his Vanua’aku Pati (Land Party).

How did the Nagriamel Movement Resist and Rebel?
The Nagriamel movement used various forms of resistance and rebellion against the colonial authorities and the independence movement. They staged protests, boycotts, strikes and roadblocks. They refused to pay taxes, vote or register their births and deaths. They built their own schools, hospitals and radio stations. They formed their own militias, armed with bows and arrows, rocks and slings. They declared their own laws and courts.
The most dramatic act of rebellion occurred in June 1980, on the eve of independence. Jimmy Stevens and his followers declared the independence of Espiritu Santo as the ‘Republic of Vemerana’, meaning ‘land of peace’. They blockaded Santo-Pekoa International Airport, destroyed two bridges, and raised their own flag: a green cross on a white background.
The declaration of Vemerana sparked a brief but intense conflict that became known as the Coconut War. The New Hebrides government asked Britain and France to send troops to quell the rebellion, but France refused to cooperate. The Prime Minister-elect Walter Lini then requested military intervention from Papua New Guinea, a fellow Melanesian country that had gained its own independence in 1975. Papua New Guinea agreed to send troops to restore order on Espiritu Santo.
The Coconut War lasted about six weeks, but it was not a conventional war. The Papua New Guinean soldiers were welcomed by most residents of Espiritu Santo as brothers rather than invaders. The Nagriamel rebels were vastly outnumbered and outgunned by the professional army. There were few casualties and little damage on both sides. The war came to a sudden end when Jimmy Stevens’s son was killed in a shootout at a roadblock in late August 1980. Jimmy Stevens surrendered shortly after, stating that he had never intended that anyone be harmed.

What Happened to the Nagriamel Movement After 1980?
Jimmy Stevens was tried and sentenced to 14 years in prison for treason. He remained in jail until 1991, when he was released on humanitarian grounds due to his poor health. He died in 1994 at his home in Vanafo.
The Nagriamel movement did not disappear after 1980. It transformed into a political party that continued to participate in Vanuatu’s democracy. The party won one or two seats in parliament in most elections since 1983. The party advocated for Vanuatu’s status as a tax haven, private enterprise, free education and health care, and the protection of customary values. The party also supported regional autonomy and decentralization, especially for Espiritu Santo.
The Nagriamel movement left a legacy in Vanuatu’s history and politics. It was the first political movement to command a national audience in the New Hebrides. It was the only movement that challenged the colonial authorities and the independence movement. It was the only movement that attempted to secede from the new republic. It was the only movement that sparked a war in Vanuatu.
The Nagriamel movement was a story of resistance and rebellion, of tradition and modernity, of unity and diversity, of peace and war, of hope and despair, of faith and folly. It was a story of Vanuatu.

References

– Nagriamel. (2022, January 14). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagriamel

– Coconut War. (2022, January 14). In Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_War

– 57. Vanuatu (1980-present). (n.d.). University of Central Arkansas. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/asiapacific-region/vanuatu-1980-present/

– Chapter 3. Metamorphoses of Nagriamel – OpenEdition Books. https://books.openedition.org/pacific/162.

– Vanuatu | History – Geography. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved January 18, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/place/Vanuatu/History

– Vanuatu (1980-present). (n.d.). University of Central Arkansas. https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/asiapacific-region/vanuatu-1980-present/

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