Wallis & Futuna Islands

By: BreShay Wesson

Capital CityThe country’s capital city is Mata-Utu.

Primary Language and Religion

• The two main Languages spoke in this country is French and Wallisian.

• Major religion is Roman Catholic

• The site Talietumu are the remains of the Tongan settlement from back in the 1450’s. There is a giant fort-like wall with entrance passages surrounding green lawns, large platforms and a circular stockade base. Also, stone paths where only the king was allowed to walk because his feet was not supposed to touch solid grounds.

Tourist Attraction Number 1

Talietumu

• Lake Lalolalo is a perfectly circular lake with towering cliffs around the edges towering at 260 feet from the surface. The lake is 80 meters deep at some places. Also, a tropical forest filled with many species of tropical birds surrounds it.

Tourist Attraction Number 2

Lake Lalolalo

National Cuisine

Moa• Moa means chicken is

Polynesian.• Moa has been baked in banana

leaf in their traditional way.

Ika• Ika, which is the term used for

fish is Polynesian countries, is used in various dishes.

• It is dressed up as French style cooking or ate in traditional Polynesian way.

• Pict is a grilled fish cooked by the latter way.

Two American Stereotypes• The first stereotype of

Americans on the island is that they are all fat and lazy.

• Another stereotype is that Americans are all violent and materialistic.

Superstitions• Unlike the Polynesian people amongst the island,

the superstitions are products of the French people.

• There are mainly just two superstitions which are: bad luck coming across anyone who shoots and Albatross or breaks a mirror.

• Shaka also know as “Hang loose” is and gesture that represents understanding, compassion, and friendship.

Hand Gestures“Shaka” and “Head Bow”

• Head bow is a gesture for first impression of acceptance.

Etiquette and Body Language• Respect for elders and generosity are the core

principles. Oldest sisters are honored and respected. Elders hold authority in the family, and brothers are expected to look after their sisters and guard their virginity. Men and women socialize in separate groups. Children are expected to sit quietly through church or a meeting; if they become restless, they are taken outside by a young sibling.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1h_yu1j8ngg

Relationship Building• An extended family household is likely to consist

of several houses linked by brothers and sisters and their spouses. Usually when the children marry, they do not move out. It is rare for a new house to be built. The household usually is headed by the father or the oldest son, though occasionally the oldest sister takes this role. The extended family is the basic unit of interaction. Food and other gifts are exchanged, and children move freely between members of the extended family.

Communication Styles• Being that Wallis and Futuna Island is a

parliamentary representative democracy, the communication style would be considered to be Conceptual. I believe it is conceptual because the issues are discussed amongst a selected group of individuals that may represent a certain amount of people, and then issues’ solution is discovered by those same individuals.

Power Structure• Wallis is run jointly with Futuna as a territory of the

French government. The administrator represents the French republic and heads the cabinet, which consists of the three kings and three appointed members. An operational staff of government advisors operate on a budget supplied almost entirely by France. Wallis and Futuna together elect one representative to the French Senate.

• The second form of local government is an elected body, the Territorial National Assembly which consists of an elected leader, and a body of elected assemblymen. This body debates finances and the issue of independence.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American(body language)

• The similarities between the body language of American and the Islanders are that in most parts America, people are required to respect their elders and children are assumed to be quiet during church.

• The differences are if a child is not quiet during the church assembly, their parent will leave with them rather than an older sibling. Also in America, respecting your older sister is based upon the family and the upbringing which includes the decision of holding the elders to authority and a brother protecting his sister’s virginity.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American (communication styles)

• While Wallis and Futuna Island uses the Conceptual communication style, American tends to use the Behavioral communication style. They are the same in a way because both leaders present the issues to a group of people.

• The differences that stand are that the Islanders make a decision based of what everyone apart of the political party agreed on while in America, the president makes decision based on what is best for the people and the conclusion can still be altered.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American (power structures)

• The similarities between Wallis and Futuna Island and America is that the both have a cabinet of members who have a little say in the political decisions.

• The differences is that overall the Islanders have a king who is solemnly responsible the decisions whereas American have a cabinet who can disagree with the decision of the president and there will not be a solution until agreed upon.

Internet penetration rate and most popular social network

• Wallis and Futuna Island most popular social networks are Mobli, which is a direct rival of Instagram. Impossible, which is an app where they embrace giving, users can post things that they want or wish to have. Lastly is Medium, the co-founder of twitter invented it, users can post ideas and stories with 140 characters.

• Internet penetration 8.6%

Dimension 1: Power Distance• Power Distance is when the less powerful

members expect and accept the unequal power amongst them and the people who withhold power.

• My country applies to this dimension because they still kings, so his decision will always overrule all.

Dimension 2: Individualism• Individualism is one side versus its

opposite ,which is collectivism, when people are put into groups.

• Wallis and Futuna Island would be consider to be collectivism because everyone is constantly abiding by or looking after another family member. Also even when young couples get married, they tend to move the spouse into the home rather than moving into their own home.

Dimension 3: Long-Term Oriented

• Long-term oriented is when the society virtues future rewards like saving, persistence, and changing circumstances. On the other hand, short-term oriented is when a society virtues past and present national pride, upholding traditions, and preservation of “face”.

• I believe the island is short-term oriented because they do not use the internet as much and they still do their ancient tribal dances.

Dimension 4: Indulgence vs. Restraint

• Indulgence stands for a society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun.

• Wallis and Futuna Island is a society of restraint because they have a king and there is not much a people can do when there is still a dictator.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American: Dimension 1- Power Distance

• Unlike Wallis and Futuna Island, the is basically no power distance. America is based off of democracy so the citizens are usually strictly involved.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American: Dimension 2- Individualism

• American has much more Individualism than Wallis and Futuna. In this country freedom of speak is one of the main laws that is expressed frequently.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American: Dimension 3- Long Term Oriented

• Opposed to Wallis and Futuna Island, American is long-term oriented. I believe this because things in this country is always changing. Things as far as laws, styles, technology etc. It is almost impossible to keep culture traditions here based upon the speed of everyday life.

Wallisian and Futunan vs. American: Dimension 4- Indulgence vs. Restraint

• Again America is opposite to Wallis and Futuna Island. American is all about expressing yourself and being who the person one desires to be. Wallis and Futuna is based off of traditions so there may be some people who consider themselves as not living.

Current Events • The last current event that has occurred within

the country was actually over a month ago.• August 15- Assumption Day (national holiday)• July 29- Territory Day (national holiday)

Bibliography• Countries and Their Cultures. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.everyculture.com/

Global Resource & Information Directory (GRID). (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.fosigrid.org/

Global Road Warrior. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://globalroadwarrior.com/

Pacific island travel with author David Stanley. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.southpacific.org/

Worldwide National Public Holidays. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.qppstudio.net/publicholidays.htm