Translated excerpts from Bulletin n.1, Association ‘Information et soutien aux droits du peuple kanak‘, Juin 1982, that were republished in Informations et Reflexions Libertaires, Fev.85
Kanak society at its origin is a classless society, relations of production and between men are linked to a philosophy that excludes all forms of domination, exploitation and oppression. Social organization, production and exchange, the distribution of labour and its products, human relationships, all of this is done according to community rules that are not only based on the needs of each individual, but also restore life to its plenitude of fulfillment. (…)
The elements of the Kanak problem have changed considerably since the beginning of colonization. And many people imagine that Kanak independence means a return to the “savage state”! Let them rest assured. As Nidoîshe Naisseline said in 1969: “Kanak society is a society without prison, without mental asylum, and without orphanage.” I would add that it is classless and profoundly democratic, and that it will fight back effectively against any bureaucratic, neo-colonial or feudal temptation.
For a people who have lived a thousand years without the State, is this not a sign of health? We believe so, even if we have to go through a state because that’s what the international community wants today.
But in doing so, we are aware of the dangers contained in the gears of the State. Indeed, in the East as in the West, no state has withered, despite Lenin’s prophecy. On the contrary, the so-called socialist states were considerably strengthened, putting an end for a long time to any hint of democratic change. The Kanak people don’t seek to build their future on force. The state that emerges from independence will have to put an end to the semi-feudalization introduced into our society by colonialism and rediscover the communitarian spirit which has prevailed for four thousand years, which must serve as the basis for social organization, resolve the matter of the land and of the definition of all political, economic, social and cultural guidelines for a better future.
Under the human values to which the Kanaks attach importance, we insist particularly on solidarity, sharing, hospitality and fraternity. These notions have had a lasting impact on the social formations of our country, just as they have enabled different regional communities to associate for symbiosis, to form social groups with exceptional human qualities.
Although Kanak society is fundamentally community-based, it does not, as some have claimed, advocate the negation of the individual. Each person’s place depends on the political and social attributions of the “lap” (the community to which he belongs), and on his ability to assume a particular responsibility. What’s more, appointment to the highest positions in the community takes into account, above all, the integrity of individuals and their human qualities. This is particularly true of the role of the chief, whose appointment is made collectively by all the “ditr (community representatives) and whose precise functions do not elevate him above society and its laws, but situate him among the members of the community. (…)
The terms clan, subject, allegiance (…) do not correspond at all to what they mean in our society. Worse still, they change the content in the direction of reduction. In fact, if we translate the Kanak terms “lap”, “lakeî” and “fat” correctly, we end up with “community”, “brothers of (tongue)” and “need” respectively (…).
We have given a brief account above of some aspects of Kanak society and culture. Above all, we wanted to make it clear that our civilization, with its multi-dimensional culture, has all the resources it needs to consider in all serenity the construction of socialism in our country, while guaranteeing for all fundamental human rights and freedoms.
Jimmy Ounei
A quote from ‘Socialisme et société future’ (1985)
“Our society is essentially communitarian, and a dream come true for anarchists of all kinds.”
– Jimmy Ounei, from ‘Socialisme et société future’, Informations et Reflexions Libertaires, Fev.85
Also
Kanaky in flames: Five takeaways from the New Caledonia independence riots, by David Robie (2024)
Why are protests against France raging in New Caledonia?, from Al Jazeera (2024)
Civilization vs Solidarity: Louise Michel and the Kanaks, by Carolyn J. Eichner (2017)
Settler colonialism and the elimination of the native, by Patrick Wolfe (2006)
The Struggle for Kanaky, by Susanna Ounei-Small (1995)
For a nuclear-free and independent Pacific, by Susanna Ounei-Small and Norm Dixon (1995)
Solidarité avec la lutte du peuple Kanak, par Lutter! (1985)
Mémoires, Chapitre 2X, par Louise Michel (1886)
Anarchists on National Liberation
Anarchism & Indigenous Peoples
Anarchists & fellow travellers on Palestine
Against the Destruction of Gaza, For the Liberation of Palestine