Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast, Samoa to the east, and Tokelau to the northeast. Though both French and Polynesian, Wallis and Futuna is distinct from the entity known as French Polynesia.
Its land area is 142.42 km2 (54.99 sq mi) with a population of about 12,000. Mata-Utu is the capital and biggest city. The territory is made up of three main volcanic tropical islands along with a number of tiny islets, and is split into two island groups that lie about 260 km (160 mi) apart, namely the Wallis Islands (Uvea) in the northeast, and the Hoorn Islands (also known as the Futuna Islands) in the southwest, including Futuna Island proper and the mostly uninhabited Alofi Island.
The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, served by their own Roman Catholic Diocese of Wallis and Futuna. The culture of Wallis and Futuna is Polynesian and is very similar to the cultures of its neighboring nations Samoa and Tonga. The Wallisian and Futunan cultures share very similar components in language, dance, cuisine and modes of celebration.
Fishing and agriculture are the traditional practices and most people live in traditional fate houses in an oval shape made of thatch.
Basilica of St. Peter Channel in Poi – Futuna. Unusual, impressive church building with a stepped tower, built in 1986. Built to commemorate a martyr Pierre Channel, who was killed here in 1841.
Lalolalo Lake – Wallis. Around lake - volcanic crater. The lake is surrounded by steep, up to 30 m tall walls. Lake is almost inaccessible due to these walls.
Lanu’tavake – Wallis. Around crater lake, once used as a source of drinking water.
Le Toagatoto (Marais Sanglants) – Wallis. A historical place where a battle between the native people of Wallis and Tongan army took place. This is marsh which, according to the locals, still is haunted. Remnants of stone walls.
Loka Cave – Alofi. A natural grotto where a shrine to St. Bernadette has been established.
Mata-Utu Cathedral – Wallis. The large church building in Neo-Romanesque style, built in 1951 – 1967.
Talietumu (Kolo Noi) – Wallis. Remnants of a fortified Tongan settlement, developed in 1450 AD, the last stronghold of Tongans in Wallis. The settlement is surrounded by a massive stone wall with several entrances. The central structure is raised stone platform – Talietumu, a shrine. It is raised 5 m high and is 80 m long. The complex architecture of the structure has important symbolic meaning.
Tepa Church – Wallis. Imposing church building with a semicircular tower.
0 comments:
Post a Comment