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Jean-Marie Tjibaou

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Jean-Marie Tjibaou
In office
18 June 1982 – 6 September 1984
Preceded byDick Ukeiwé
Succeeded byDick Ukeiwé
Vice-président of the New-Caledonia Council of government
Mayor of Hienghène
In office
1977–1989
Preceded byYves de Villelongue
Succeeded byJoseph Karié Bwarhat
President of Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front
In office
19841989
Preceded byFounder
Succeeded byPaul Néaoutyine
President of Caledonian Union
In office
19861989
Preceded byRock Pidjot
Succeeded byFrançois Burck
Personal details
Born30 January 1936
Hienghène, Nouvelle-Calédonie
Died4 May 1989
Ouvéa, Nouvelle-Calédonie
NationalityFrench
Political partyKanak and Socialist National Liberation Front
Union calédonienne
SpouseMarie-Claude Wetta
ChildrenEmmanuel Tjibaou
Alma materFaculté catholique de Lyon
École pratique des hautes études
Professioncatholic priest
Fonctionnaire territorial

Jean-Marie Tjibaou (French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃ maʁi tʃibau]; January 30, 1936 – May 4, 1989[1]) was a French politician in New Caledonia and leader of the Kanak independence movement. The son of a tribal chief, Tjibaou was ordained a Catholic priest but abandoned his religious vocation for a life in political activism. He was killed in 1989 at the age of 53.

Career

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During the 1970s, he undertook a thesis in ethnology at the Sorbonne. While he did not complete his studies, he became engaged in cultural and ethnicity issues on New Caledonia. In 1975 he arranged the Melanesia 2000 festival, which emphasized the Kanak identity.

He was appointed mayor of Hienghène in 1977 and, in 1979, he was made territorial councillor in the newly formed Independence Front, and the head of the pro-independence Kanak and Socialist National Liberation Front in 1984.

His son, Emmanuel Tjibaou is also a kanak independentist - he became French MP in 2024.[2]

Death

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On 4 May 1989, Tjibaou was shot dead along with Yeiwéné Yeiwéné [fr] in Ouvéa by another Kanak, Djubelly Wéa [fr].[3] A cultural leader in the promotion of the indigenous Kanak culture, Wéa was shot dead by Tjibaou's bodyguards after the attack. Witnesses said other gunmen were involved.[4]

Honors

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The modern Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre, designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, is named in his honour.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Kanak leader assassinated". The Press. 5 May 1989. p. 5. Retrieved 19 May 2024 – via Papers Past.
  2. ^ Emmanuel Tjibaou's profile at the website of French National Assembly
  3. ^ "Threat to New Caledonia peace shocks French Govt". The Press. 6 May 1989. p. 12. Retrieved 19 May 2024 – via Papers Past.
  4. ^ "Three Men Held in New Caledonia Killings". Associated Press.
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