KANAK

'Kanak' (formerly also '''Canaque''') are the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific.
Kanaks comprise 45% of the total population of New Caledonia. The word is derived from ''kanaka maoli'', a Hawaiian word which was at one time applied indiscriminately by European explorers, traders and missionaries in the region to any non-European Pacific islander. Prior to European contact there was no unified state in New Caledonia, and no single self-appellation used to refer to its inhabitants.
Other words have been coined from ''Kanak'' in the past few generations: ''Kanaky'' is an ethno-political name for the island or the entire territory. ''Kanéka'' is a musical genre associated with the Kanak, stylistically a form of reggae with added flutes, percussion and harmonies. ''Kaneka'' often has political lyrics and is sung in Drehu, Paici or other Melanesian languages, or in French.
''Kanakas'' were Pacific islanders (not just Melanesians) who were abducted to Australia, Chile or Canada to perform forced labour during the 19th century. The German racial epithet ''Kanake'' (now applied to all non-whites, or even southern Europeans, but originally to people from German colonial possessions in Oceania) also derives from the name.
Most Kanaks are Christian, but a few still follow their traditional beliefs.

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1. This word comes from the drehu "puhnya" meaning "bundle", "pack"

See also

★ Caldoche

★ Bougna