Jean-Marie Tjibaou
Encyclopedia
Jean-Marie Tjibaou was a leader of the Kanak independence movement and a politician in New Caledonia
. The son of a tribal chief, Tjibaou was ordained a priest but abandoned his religious vocation for a life in political activism. He was appointed mayor
of Hienghène
in 1977 and the head of the pro-independenceFLNKS in 1984.
On 4 May 1989, he was assassinated in Ouvéa
by another Kanak. A cultural leader in the promotion of the indigenous Kanak culture, the modern Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano
, is named in his honour.
During the 1970s, he undertook a thesis in ethnology
at the Sorbonne
. While he did not complete his studies, he became engaged in cultural and ethnicity issues on New Caledonia. In 1975 he arranged the Melanesia 2000 festival, which emphasized the Kanak identity.
Tjibaou made his way into politics when he ran for the municipal election in Hienghène
in 1977, where he was appointed mayor of Hienghène. In 1979 he was made territorial councilor in the newly formed Independence Front. In 1984 he was appointed head of the FLNKS and later that year also president of the New Caledonian provisional government.
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
. The son of a tribal chief, Tjibaou was ordained a priest but abandoned his religious vocation for a life in political activism. He was appointed mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Hienghène
Hienghène
Hienghène is a commune in the North Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean....
in 1977 and the head of the pro-independenceFLNKS in 1984.
On 4 May 1989, he was assassinated in Ouvéa
Ouvéa
Ouvéa is a commune in the Loyalty Islands Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The settlement of Fayaoué , on Ouvéa Island, is the administrative centre of the commune of Ouvéa. -Geography:...
by another Kanak. A cultural leader in the promotion of the indigenous Kanak culture, the modern Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre
The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre, on the narrow Tinu Peninsula, approximately northeast of the historic centre of Nouméa, the capital of New Caledonia, celebrates the vernacular Kanak culture, the indigenous culture of New Caledonia, amidst much political controversy over the independent...
, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano
Renzo Piano
Renzo Piano is an Italian architect. He is the recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, AIA Gold Medal, Kyoto Prize and the Sonning Prize...
, is named in his honour.
During the 1970s, he undertook a thesis in ethnology
Ethnology
Ethnology is the branch of anthropology that compares and analyzes the origins, distribution, technology, religion, language, and social structure of the ethnic, racial, and/or national divisions of humanity.-Scientific discipline:Compared to ethnography, the study of single groups through direct...
at the Sorbonne
Sorbonne
The Sorbonne is an edifice of the Latin Quarter, in Paris, France, which has been the historical house of the former University of Paris...
. While he did not complete his studies, he became engaged in cultural and ethnicity issues on New Caledonia. In 1975 he arranged the Melanesia 2000 festival, which emphasized the Kanak identity.
Tjibaou made his way into politics when he ran for the municipal election in Hienghène
Hienghène
Hienghène is a commune in the North Province of New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean....
in 1977, where he was appointed mayor of Hienghène. In 1979 he was made territorial councilor in the newly formed Independence Front. In 1984 he was appointed head of the FLNKS and later that year also president of the New Caledonian provisional government.