Culture Under Threat: Kiribati
Kiribati's culture is centred around family, the church and the sea. The islands isolation has allowed traditional values and skills to be maintained. Some of the traditions have led to some social problems. Drinking alcohol and consuming Todi (locally fermented coconut juice) is part of the culture. This has has led to alcoholism becoming an issue on the island, this could be an explanation for the high levels of domestic violence. Pubusi is a cultural practice on the island, this is where you can ask a neighbour for any material possession, many people agree. This may explain their low GDP when measured against other countries. Kiribati is known for its traditional martial arts, the essence of which is the magical power of ancestral warrior spirits. Kiribati has folk music based around chanting and body percussion. They often put on public performances of their music. They also stick dance, they use this to accompany the telling of legends and semi-historical stories. The form of dancing is called tirere and is only performed during major festivals. It is a major part of culture and is what makes it so unique. Dancers dance with their arms outstretched and use of sudden bird like movements of the head. The Frigate Bird on the flag refers to the bird-like style of dance. Smiling whilst dancing is considered vulgar in Kiribati dancing. This is because they do not view dancing as a form of entertainment but as a form of storytelling and showing skill, beauty and endurance.
The Kiribati culture is under threat, largely due to the sinking of the islands. Climate change is causing sea levels to rise, Kiribati is only around 8m above sea level- each year more and more of the island is being lost. The government blames western countries, who emit greenhouse gases, for their situation.
An example of the loss of Kiribati's culture is the loss of Bwabwai- a prestige food of the culture. Rising sea levels are causing the water on the island to become more saline. Bwabwai is a swamp taro which takes around 5 years to grow and is sensitive to salt water intrusion. It can now not be grown in many areas of the island and is at risk of eventually being lost from the islands cuisine.
Many people find it deeply unfair that their climate issues are not of their own doing. Since the 1980s the leaders have tried to get the attention of major carbon-polluting countries. Although due to the islands size this has been difficult. It has however attracted the attention of many journalists and photographers which has helped to publicise their case. The island and peoples futures are unclear. People of Kiribati has begun considering migration, but as of yet no countries have said that they will accept the climate refugees. Many of the people don't want to leave their lives on the island, they would only leave if they had to. One way in which they are trying to prevent sinking is to plant mangroves- this will not solve the issue though it will only buy them more time.
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