There are some 138 languages spoken in the islands Republic of Vanuatu, mostly due to its many islands and mountainous terrain that separates groups into their own valleys. One of these languages is Oa, spoken by the Tasmate people in Tasmate, northwest Sanma Province of Espiritu Santo island. (Bislama is the republic's lingua franca and English or French is used in education.)
Until 1980, the Vanuatu islands were jointly governed by the British and French, whose languages now serve as governmental languages in the republic. During its time as a joint Anglo-French possession, it was the site of major Allied military activity during World War II. This activity gave rise to cargo cults, though it is not known if any cargo cult played a part in the life of the Tasmate people. It was also during the colonial period that Catholic and Protestant missionaries arrived. Today both have national churches.
Economically, the Tasmate subsist by growing taro, yams, cassava, herding, and fishing. Income is produced from copra, cacao, and kava. The income is insufficient, causing many youths to go to the major urban center of Loganville for work.
The people live in houses made of bamboo, thatch, and wood. An important house is the nakamal, the meeting house, central to ceremony and governance, community life, decision-making, dispute resolution, and kava drinking. Government consists of the town chief and clan elders. Health care is limited; major illnesses require transport to Loganville.
Traditional beliefs center on animism, ancestor veneration, ritual dances, the clan, ancestral spirits, which possess mana, or spiritual power; rites of passage, and sacred land. Most of the people, however, belong to a Christian church: Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Anglican, of Church of Christ. However, there is some syncretism involving rites of passage, kastom, and communal ceremonies.
They are vulnerable to cyclones and thus food scarcity and destruction of buildings, including housing. They need economic diversification and development, including improved health care, and greater access to education and French and English literacy. They need cultural preservation, especially kastom knowledge. This latter also necessitates a reconciliation with Christianity.
Pray for spiritual vitality and reconciliation of Christianity and kastom knowledge; and strong chiefly and church leadership.
Pray for protection from climate change and wisdom as to how to adjust to it. Pray for food security.
Pray for just resolution of land disputes.
Pray for youth as they go to Luganville to seek work, especially that they do not lose their Christian faith, that it will be strengthened.
Pray for Bible translation and Biblical discipleship in both Bislama and Oa.
Scripture Prayers for the Tasmate in Vanuatu.
Culture of Vanuatu, World Cultural Encyclopedia and Sanma Provincial Guide, Vanuatu Tourist Office (These may not deal with the Tasmate people specifically, but with Vanuatu peoples in general.)
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
