Supporting the sharing of Indigenous knowledge of the ocean across various islands in Vanuatu

By Lisa McDonald

Hub partner, the Vanuatu-based organisation Erromango Culture Association has held exhibitions in the islands of Tanna, Santo and Erromango to  showcase invaluable Indigenous knowledge about the ocean that was documented during the DEEP Fund project Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean.

The exhibitions have been visited by more than 300 students and teachers, chiefs, government officials and community leaders.   

Commenting on the importance of the project and exhibitions, a teacher from the Santo East Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary School noted:

“Thank you Erromango Cultural Association for brining Netai en Namou Toc to Santo. The stories about Mother Ocean truly inspired our students and we have learned much about our rich culture.”

In 2022 Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean was part of the exhibition Undercurrents: Art and Ocean in Africa and the Pacific that can be viewed online here.

Students visiting the exhibition Netai en Namou Toc | Stories of Mother Ocean at Unpongkor (Dillon’s Bay), Erromango. Photo: Erromango Cultural Association