Firstly let me take this opportunity to thank Ralph Regenvanu for allowing me to start with this project and Paul Gardissat and Nicolas Mezzalira for letting me adapt stories from their book ‘Nabanga’.

Secondly thank you to all the sponsors. Having your financial support while writing the books was really lovely and we can proudly say all six books in Vanuatu’s three official languages are completed;

• Maraptit the traveller – Torba Province
• The legend of the new moon – Sanma Province
• The legend of the moon and sun – Penama Province
• The legend of the carnivorous stone – Malampa Province
• The rat and the ocotopus – Efate Province
• The red fowl and the sea crocodiles – Tafea Province

Unfortunately, ‘The legend of the moon and sun’ (the English version) was incorrectly attributed to Malo Island, Sanma Province. My apologies to Pentecost Island and Penama Province this will be corrected before the books go for their second printing. The first printing of all 18 versions, funded by Kiwanis International and supported by Ambassade de France au Vanuatu and Alliance française, was completed by Sun Productions in record time. We are looking to release the books into each of Vanuatu's 434 schools in the near future.
Sun Productions were fantastic and went far beyond their quoted work. Nikesh Sivan was a pleasure to work with and nothing was ever too much for him.

The launching took place on what must have been the hottest day – thank you to the three speakers, Nicholas Berlanga, Ralph Regenvanu and Georges Cumbo who kindly introduced the books in each of the official languages. To everyone who braved the heat to support us by being there and Cleo Westhorpe for organising everything. I must also thank the translators, Anna Naupa, Anne Naupa, Joel Simo, Rufino Pineda, Georges Cumbo, Paul Gardissat, Ralph Reganvanu and Katerina Wendt, who unstintingly gave up hours of their time without any remuneration.

You can purchase your copy at a variety of outlets throughout Port Vila, and even in New Caledonia!

• Vanuatu Cultural Centre (at the Museum Shop)
• Public Library
• Alliance française (Port Vila and New Caledonia)
• Coming soon: Air Vanuatu (on all flights to and from Vanuatu!)

The stories have already been read in some of the schools and I have had lovely reports back from teachers regarding the children’s reactions. Most importantly, children had read the stories themselves. Books have been bought and sent all over the world, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Fiji to name a few and it was for this reason that I included the small history behind the word ‘Nabanga’ on the back of each book (copied directly from ‘Nabanga’ Paul Gardissat & Nicolas Mezzalira’s book).

Sadly Leily Samuel, to whom I dedicated all three versions of ‘The rat and the octopus,’ died after a long struggle with cancer. She showed me life on Efate and shared with me stories of her youth, she lives on in my memory and I felt humbled when Elodie, her daughter, told me that Leily had requested that her copy of ‘Rat mo nawita’ be buried with her.

Thank you everyone for your support and most importantly, as Kiwanis so aptly have on their logo, “Serving children of the world” - may
Vanuatu always be proud of their rich heritage of Custom stories and may children everywhere enjoy these stories.

 

Pauline Grindley

Author, Nabanga Pikinini series