Solwata Blo Iumi: Church & Kastom

2023 - Authored by cChange - Published by cChange, the Locally-Managed Marine Area Network, and the Pacific Community

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_8FWdWN_0A&list=PLAZ1Fm0TJaVuTmKbECl6o0C5QsW4JLZhK&index=4

This show went to air on Easter Sunday and will focus on the role of the church and our traditional customs for marine resource management. Easter is celebrated by Christians as a joyous holiday and celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And the bible also highlights that Gods plan is to provide his people with all that they need – this does include our marine resources that give us food in our stomach and money in our pocket to pay for the things we need. In the past, our tribes and our communities have put bans or tambus on their fishing grounds to ensure there was enough fish to harvest during special occasions, for Easter and Christmas feasts, weddings, and funerals. But along the way our mindset has changed: traditional ways are lost or forgotten and no longer practised, no respect of community rules set up by community leaders, village elders and even church. Modern influences and new ways of fishing makes catching fish or collecting clams more efficient, which is driving fish stocks to decline. This can tell us a lot about us a people, not respecting our faith and kastom that connects us as a people.