Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean

The peoples of Erromango, a southern island of Vanuatu, hold centuries old relationships with the ocean. Early rock art in coastal caves and shelters is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 years old. Among motifs depicted are sea creatures and, more recently, European ships and seafarers.

During the 1800s, the island experienced mass depopulation as a result of introduced epidemics and the violence of the sandalwood trade. The population dropped from 10,000 to barely 800, with five of the island’s six languages consequently dying out.

The legacies of depopulation, along with current climate stressors such as sea-level rise and storm surges, gives urgency to safeguarding the island’s ocean cultural heritage. Customary stories and oral histories contain invaluable information about trade routes, fishing methods, poisoning remedies, spirits of the sun and sky, wind names, weather patterns and maritime navigation.

The Erromango Cultural Association enacted simanlou (traditional) protocols to produce Netai en Namou Toc / Stories of Mother Ocean, an illustrated children’s book that documents local knowledge and practices. The book, published in English, French and Sie (the only surviving language of Erromango), is a vital means of preserving historical and sacred wisdom, supporting community practitioners and informing policies about marine resource management and sustainable ocean development.

Project collaborators

Chief Daniel Dam Atnelo, James Atnelo, Georges Cumbo, Dr James Flexner, Nelakan Fred, Frances Hickey, Dr Kate Holmes, Ava Nautong Howlett, Nick Howlett, Kelma Uruknte Nompurisovu Naupa Ishmael, Nikiatu Kuautonga, Tepeye Louvo, Amelia Lovo, Prof John Lynch, Chloe Molou, Elsie Molou, Captain Andrew Naling, Helen Malavi Nampil, Wendy Nanpen, Michael Naritantop, Sempet Naritantop, Pauline Narwa, John Naryovi, Martha Naumu, Anna Uruknte Naupa, Helen Uruknte Nompunnesau Naupa, Joe Nemenuk, Narai Nepenu, Margret Nial, Natmonuk Giben Nilwo, Silas Nilwo, Uyou Nenvi Nompuat, Emma Lui Nouye, Sousou Nowai, Lui Nouye, Ruth Yevip Peter, Salote Nilwo Philip, Richard Shing, Prof Matthew Spriggs, Jerry Taki Uminduru, Thompson, Andrew Tovovur, Joseph Nompuat Tainur, Jeremaiah Tovovur, Simeon Narai Levitantop Tovovur, Nehei Tuwo, Jonah Umah, Esther Naru Warri, Michael Yahwo, Dr Meredith Wilson, Tom Wolu, Pierre Yahwo, Ruth Yahwo, Dick Yauliki, Jeffrey Yaviong, Ruth Yevip