Cinquième Kilomètre

The Tjibaou Centre opened in 1998 as a place to lift up the culture of the indigenous Kanak people of New Caledonia. It is named for Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a leader of the movement for an independent New Caledonia. He was assassinated in 1989.
The centre is probably best known for the conical cases or pavilions that are based on the design of important traditional huts of the Kanak people. There are 10 of them, all of different sizes. The 1st picture captures several of them. Also, the 9th picture is inside one of them.
The next 3 pictures were taken along a meandering path that illustrates the local creation myth. The 3nd picture is rock art describing the beginning of life. The path continues with many local plant species and a series of signs and sculptures that continue the story on describe the vegetation. Pictures 3 and 4 are examples of both.
The next 4 pictures are in the ceremonial area that shows the typical buildings around a central meeting or ceremonial area of Kanak villages. The 5th picture looks through the gate to the central area. You can see part of the coral rock wall. The 6th picture looks across the square ceremonial area to the tall chiefs hut, typical of the more southern villages. The 7th picture is a hut from the more northern parts of the country. The 8th picture is inside the southern chiefs hut. The inside of the northern hut is similar, just not as high.
The last 2 pictures are in the well done museum on site. In some of the cases, as in the 9th picture, there are exhibits of local art. The 9th picture is of contemporary sculptures in traditional styles by artists of different Kanak tribes. The 10th picture shows examples of various textiles and patterns associated with a number of tribes.
In addition, there are environmental exhibitions, music, craft demonstrations and more. I was impressed.Read more