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Jean-Marie Tjibaou (French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃ maʁi tʃibau]; January 30, 1936 – May 4, 1989) 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

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.

Death

On 4 May 1989, Tjibaou was shot dead along with Yeiwéné Yeiwéné [fr] in Ouvéa by another Kanak, Djubelly Wéa [fr]. 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.

Honors

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

See also

• List of peace activists

References

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.

External links

• Tjibaou Cultural Center website

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• 1989 deaths
• Assassinated New Caledonia politicians
• Mayors of places in New Caledonia
• New Caledonian writers
• Laicized Roman Catholic priests
• Kanak people
• University of Paris alumni
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