Avoiuli
Encyclopedia
Avoiuli is a writing system used by the Turaga indigenous movement
on Pentecost Island
in Vanuatu
. It was devised by Chief Viraleo Boborenvanua over a 14-year period, based on designs found in traditional sand drawings
, and intended as a native alternative to the Western alphabet. It is used mainly for writing in the area's native Raga language
, although it can also be used for other languages including Apma
, Bislama and English
.
The Avoiuli alphabet comprises characters equivalent to the letters A-Z, decimal numerals and other symbols. Although in some respects it is a relatively straightforward imitation of the Latin alphabet
, it has a few distinctive features. Like the sand drawings on which it is based, Avoiuli words are designed to be formed in a single stroke, and can be written either left-to-right or right-to-left (the symmetry of most characters makes the script easy to read in either direction).
Scholars learn to write in Avoiuli at Turaga's traditional school at Lavatmanggemu in north-eastern Pentecost, paying substantial school fees for the privilege. Avoiuli is also used in record-keeping by the Tangbunia indigenous bank.
Turaga nation
The Turaga nation is an indigenous movement based in northern Pentecost Island, Vanuatu. Its leaders include Chief Viraleo Boborenvanua and Motarilavoa Hilda Lini...
on Pentecost Island
Pentecost Island
Pentecost Island is one of the 83 islands that make up the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. It lies due north of capital Port Vila. Pentecost Island is known as Pentecôte in French and Pentikos in Bislama. The island was known in its native languages by names such as Vanu Aroaroa, although these...
in Vanuatu
Vanuatu
Vanuatu , officially the Republic of Vanuatu , is an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. The archipelago, which is of volcanic origin, is some east of northern Australia, northeast of New Caledonia, west of Fiji, and southeast of the Solomon Islands, near New Guinea.Vanuatu was...
. It was devised by Chief Viraleo Boborenvanua over a 14-year period, based on designs found in traditional sand drawings
Sand drawing
Sand drawing is a ni-Vanuatu artistic and ritual tradition and practice, recognised by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity."Sand drawing" is produced in sand, volcanic ash or clay...
, and intended as a native alternative to the Western alphabet. It is used mainly for writing in the area's native Raga language
Raga language
Raga is the language of northern Pentecost island in Vanuatu. Raga belongs to the East Vanuatu languages, a branch of the Austronesian languages family...
, although it can also be used for other languages including Apma
Apma language
Apma is the language of central Pentecost island in Vanuatu. Apma belongs to the East Vanuatu languages, a branch of the Austronesian languages family....
, Bislama and English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
.
The Avoiuli alphabet comprises characters equivalent to the letters A-Z, decimal numerals and other symbols. Although in some respects it is a relatively straightforward imitation of the Latin alphabet
Latin alphabet
The Latin alphabet, also called the Roman alphabet, is the most recognized alphabet used in the world today. It evolved from a western variety of the Greek alphabet called the Cumaean alphabet, which was adopted and modified by the Etruscans who ruled early Rome...
, it has a few distinctive features. Like the sand drawings on which it is based, Avoiuli words are designed to be formed in a single stroke, and can be written either left-to-right or right-to-left (the symmetry of most characters makes the script easy to read in either direction).
Scholars learn to write in Avoiuli at Turaga's traditional school at Lavatmanggemu in north-eastern Pentecost, paying substantial school fees for the privilege. Avoiuli is also used in record-keeping by the Tangbunia indigenous bank.