• Solomon Islands!

    Solomon Islands: Looking up at palm trees. Go Now!

    Solomon Islands
    This Melanesian country is best known for its many islands and beaches... and this natural landscape (pictured) is why most people go. Don't miss out on the unique Melanesian culture and foods though! Begin Your Journey!

  • Tonga!

    Tonga: Coastline. Go Now!

    Tonga
    The heart of Polynesian culture is rooted in Tonga, but most visitors just come for the natural beauty. Explore Tonga!

  • Vanuatu!

    Vanuatu: Jetty into the ocean. Go Now!

    Vanuatu
    Picturesque serenity is a good way to describe Vanuatu, but the culture offers much more, including the inspiration for bungee jumping, which remains a rite of passage for young men. Explore Vanuatu!

  • Palau!

    Palau: "70 Islands!" Go Now!

    Palau
    Few people have even heard of this small Micronesian country, but those who have often return with stories of beauty unmatched elsewhere, such as view of the "70 Islands" (pictured). Go Now!

  • Explore the: Federated States of Micronesia!

    Federated States of Micronesia: Overlooking some islands. Go Now!

    Federated States of Micronesia
    This diverse country stretches for thousands of miles and has the diversity to prove it, including the people from Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Yap among others. Begin Your Journey!

  • Samoa!

    Samoa: A traditional home. Go Now!

    Samoa
    Among the most famous of the South Pacific's many countries, Samoa sits in the heart of Polynesia and has a culture to match. Begin Your Journey!

Culture & Identity of Tuvalu

Introduction

Most people in Tuvalu work with the land or seas as fishing and coconut production seem to occupy a large number of jobs in the country; tourism also provides a significant number of jobs. For most people the days begin early and run until about 4:30. Schools begin at about the same time, but only run until about 1:00 pm.

Evenings and weekends are primarily spent with friends and family in Tuvalu as it is not uncommon to see people wandering around their village looking to socialize. It's also not uncommon to see each of these people invited in for a drink or food as this is the hospitality and nature of the people. Also, since "western-styled" entertainment such as bars, movie theaters, and restaurants are rare, socializing is the preferred method of passing time in this small island nation. The people of Tuvalu are also fairly religious and they believe Sundays are a day of rest so no work is done as most people attend church.

Identity

In Tuvalu there is little to no national identity, although it seems there are some conscious efforts to create a stronger national identity, or at least efforts to get more people to identify in this way. For those making this push the national identity is strongly based on the nation as one whole; in other words it is a fairly inclusive political definition that unites the people as one. Despite these efforts, most people in Tuvalu primarily identify with their local island and the culture that is associated with that island. Each of these islands (there are eight inhabited islands) has differences in culture from foods to linguistic variations, and more, but all are quite similar. There is a great sense of pride in belonging to each individual island and the people are hesitant to abandon their island's identity for a national one that has little meaning to them.

This page was last updated: November, 2013