March 13th, 2010
[Originally published in the Vanuatu Daily Post.]
A shocking story is emerging from the Northern Vanuatu island of Maewo. Last week, two brothers, fugitives from Kaiovo village, appeared at Lolowei Hospital on neighbouring Ambae island. One was treated for injuries. Witnesses said he claimed he had been stoned following a village meeting. The other walked onward to Tumsisiro, an Anglican mission, and requested sanctuary.
Before long, a caller from Maewo ascertained the brothers’ presence in Ambae, and a motor boat was dispatched. Reports estimate that up to a dozen men armed with axes and bush knives arrived at Lolowei. They proceeded to the outpatient clinic and promptly murdered the first brother. Stunned onlookers watched as they struck him dead, then dragged his corpse down to the shore, mocking and abusing it as they went. The second brother met the same fate soon afterward.
Within hours of the events, the story began to spread that accusations of sorcery and murder were the cause of this tragic episode. As with most such events, speculation is rampant and details are difficult to corroborate. One distraught Ambaean related a tale that seems to align well with others:
She told of a meeting held in Kaiovo to deal once and for all with the death of two local school employees, widely suspected to have been poisoned. At its climax, a local church elder announced that God had given him the names of the perpetrators. He had no sooner identified the two brothers and an elderly male accomplice than the local chief instructed the villagers to kill them.
Before the brothers could react, she said, one of the villagers picked up a large volcanic cooking stone and launched it at one of them. He missed, and the two began to scramble to their feet. Another stone quickly followed, striking one of the brothers and injuring him. They nonetheless managed to escape, leaving the older man to be beaten severely by the villagers.
Reports indicate that they obtained a canoe and paddled across several kilometers of open ocean to Lolowei’s tiny cove. It was there that their pursuers caught them up and murdered them.
Poison, witchcraft, religious visions and mob justice. One could easily dismiss these events as the actions of a backward, primitive people, benighted in superstition.
We should be careful not to mock too loudly, lest we mock ourselves.
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Originally published at the Scriptorum. You can comment here or there.
Adventures in Paradise
March 12th, 2010
Amicale and Seveners match this afternoon was canceled due to bad weather condition.
A tropical depression up north of Vanuatu has created a lot of rain and wind in Port Vila today and has caused the stadium environment not suitable for both players and fans.
The match is now postponed till further notice.
Location of the tropical depression.
admin
March 11th, 2010
150 vatu = $1.50 US, one of the many thing to buy at the local market
Glen Craig
March 11th, 2010
Toute une série de manifestations et d'activités a marqué ce 8 mars a Port-Vila. Les associations de défense des droits de la femme et le conseil national de la femme se sont associés autour de conférences et d'ateliers.)
Ambassade de France au Vanuatu)
March 11th, 2010
Follow match update on Vanuafoot Live broadcast feature - www.vanuafoot.vu/chat.html.
Kick-off time: 6.00pm Vanuatu time
Weather: Cloudy and light showers.
Crowd: 500+
Kick-off (Game starts)
1" Good crossing from Tari (Spirit) cleared by Tafea defense.
6" 6 minutes after kick-off, more showers and pitch getting dark. PVM Stadium lighting could be a problem.
9" An pportunity for Jean Nakou, but his shot went wide.
11" Rody (Spirit) himself with the GK but missed an easy goal. Another opportunity missed, should have been a goal for Spirit 08.
19" John Lan Turu open the score for Tafea with a rebound at Spirit defense.
Tafea 1 - 0 Spirit 08
24" Spirit trying to break the nut shell here with 1 good crossing but was saved by Alfred Malas (GK) and another header went wide.
25" Tafea Jean Nako wit his usual speed pushed and chased a ball to the right field and sent a crossing straight to GK. Again Kaltak himself in front of Spirit GK and he managed to get through to a clear spot but his easy goal went wide.
33" A free kick by Freddy Vava went straight to Spirit GK.
34" Good powerful shot by Seimata Chilia went over the goal bar.
40" Both teams struggling to convert to goals. Tafea is playing defensive and continue to attack front and Spirit too are serious.
45" End of first half.
Tafea 1-0 Spirit 08
Kick-off for 2nd Half.
47" A good shot by Spirit 08 but was saved by Malas [GK]. Anyone could score now.
50" A Spirit player down and injured. Etienne got a yellow card.
52" Another foul by Richard Iwai inside the penalty box. Penalty awarded to Spirit 08. Seimata Chilia took the penalty and open the score for Spirit.
Tafea 1-1 Spirit 08
60" Both defense look solid. Kaltak (TAF) got a card for foul play. Spirit front line causing a lot of disturbance to Tafea defense. Very good moves. Ball back to Tafea and Kaltak sent a crossing to find his team mates but was saved by Spirit GK. Again another attempt by Spirit was denied by Tafea defense.
66" A corner kick by Spirit was deflected to corner by Tafea GK and another corner taken was headed wide.
68" An attempt by Tafea at Spirit's box was cleared by defense and Kaltak got red card for warning and previous cards.
72" Spirit's striking force and attacking are looking dangerous for Tafea and they could collapse the red's wall any minute.
76" Tafea missed another easy goal. They have step up their attacking and in ball possession the last few minutes.
80" Both teams hitting on each other but Tafea in ball possession at Spirits side. Few attempts have been denied by Spirit defense. Tafea could sent their ball in if Spirit 08 defense are not careful.
86" 4 minutes to go both teams have not made any attempts to score. 1-2 combination from Tafea's striking force could not penetrate Spirits' defense. Spirit working hard to break through Tafea defense, but the competition could end with 1-1 draw.
90" Now playing at injury time.
91" Final whistle. End of Game.
Tafea F.C. 1-1 Spirit 08
Spirit Line-up:
Carloz Buzetti (Coach),Seimata Chilia,Rexley,Tari,Robert,Ham,Jacque,Rodney,Ben,Rody
Davidson
Tafea Line-up:
Fredy Vava, Samson Obed,Frazer Maebule,Richard Iwai,Sibai Chris (GK) Reserve,Manley Tambe (Reserve),Michel Kaltak,Etienne Mermer,Sakama (Reserve),Alfred Malas (GK),Roger Joe,Namatak (Reserve)
Referees: Mahit Chilia, Alick Lukai
admin
March 10th, 2010
enjoying the view from the fare. Should I admit to a Lime juice in one hand, camera in the other whilst balancing in the hammock?)
Glen Craig
March 10th, 2010
Teouma Academy have now advanced to third position after their win over Westan Broncos last night at the PVM Stadium with 2 goals to 0.
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After a goal less first half, substitute Jean Kaltak went in the 2nd half and set up the first ball for Nemani Rogara to open the score.
Westan Broncos missed some good opportunities too, but unfortunatley could not stop the young Academy from getting their second ball into their net.
16-years old Jean Kaltak with Simo Joseph made another superb action again from a one touch passing breaking through Westan's defense and Simo backing the ball in to close the score at 2 goals to 0.
Teouma Academy team who had 16 points before, have now equal 19 points with Spirit 08 on the PVFA table, but the goal averages now pushed Academy up over Spirit 08.
Academy coach Etienne Mermer said they are happy with the win and it is their objective to maintain their position in the super 5 series.
"This is important to us too because the competition at this level will prepare the boys towards the Oceania Under 20 World Cup qualifying round next year in Auckland", he said.
admin
March 10th, 2010
M. Marc Basquin, Conseiller de coopération et d'action culturelle à l'Ambassade de France a procédé à la remise de livres pédagogiques)
Ambassade de France au Vanuatu)
March 10th, 2010
M. Marc Basquin, conseiller de coopération et d'action culturelle à l'Ambassade de France a procédé, jeudi 4 mars 2010, à la signature de la convention annuelle d'objectifs entre le MAEE et l'Alliance française de Luganville)
Ambassade de France au Vanuatu)
March 10th, 2010
Le calendrier du Pacifique ne permettant pas une célébration traditionnelle des vœux de bonne année en janvier,)
Ambassade de France au Vanuatu)
