Pigs May Fly As More Pigs Demanded in Local Elections

Aug. 19, 2008 - PRLog -- Women who enter the blood thirsty arena of politics need a special recommendation, in a male dominated arena. It is great to see Ms Hilary Clinton once more in the headlines now backing Barack Obama, who is again under violent attack.

A world away, on a tropical island in Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, another woman who dared to enter politics, faces unbelievable odds. Mrs Jenny Ligo is also under pressure from an unexpected source.

Earlier this year Jenny followed in her famous aunt’s footsteps when she was granted a chiefly title by the head of the national Council of Chiefs, Chief Paul Tahi. Jenny ceremoniously killed eleven pigs, so as to enter the brutal field of politics. A feat she also performed at her wedding to Joe Ligo late last year.

Jenny is the niece of political and women’s rights  activist, Grace Molisa. Jenny’s aunt became the first woman to hold the post of Private Secretary to the country’s first Prime Minister,  the late Father Walter Lini, after the nation’s Independence, 28 years ago.

It’s only weeks to the general election in Vanuatu and Mrs Ligo has returned to her home island of Ambae. All should have been plain sailing for this courageous lady as she traveled to most parts of the island. Wrong!

Chief Moli Tari, speaking on behalf of some of the chiefs of Ambae, says that Jenny is not allowed to contest in her home island, according to island custom principles. Strange how this principle was not noted at the pig killing ceremony. Perhaps the ancient custom principles of the island change from day to day?

Because of her marriage to Joe Ligo on another island, Pentecost, Chief Moli has told Jenny she can only contest the Ambae constituency on one condition. She must perform a custom ceremony, presenting the chiefs with 10 tusked pigs.

You can’t shop around in Vanuatu and readily buy 10 tusked pigs. Particularly if the pig is of any reasonable age and size.

Pig tusks are real currency in Vanuatu. They are the wealth of every village and are one of their highly prized possessions.  

Where does Mrs Ligo find the 10 pigs she may have to pay to Chief Moli and his group of chiefs? Particularly as Chief Moli is not a resident of the island of Ambae. Would Jenny have to present the pigs on the island of Ambae, or to the chief residing on the distant island of Santo? Would this entail having to fly the pigs to the island?

The plot thickens as two more chiefs have stepped into the politicial arena. Chief Benwel Garae of North Ambae and Chief Pascal Sese of Lolopuepue. They come from the chiefly rank of Mambuhangvulu, the second highest rank of the Ambae chiefly system. They told the local newspaper in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, the call made by Chief Moli is childish and has no substance.

Jenny would be happy to meet face to face with Chief Moli, but for some unknown reason, Chief Moli is not available.

We have full confidence that the strongly determined, former chairwoman for the Vanuatu National Council of Women has what is needed to contest this election. Jenny is the kind of candidate who can alter the education situation in Vanuatu. A mother, and gently spoken woman, who has a real heart for the next generation. A mother who will look strongly at the lack of free education in Vanuatu.

YouMe Support Foundation is one of the few charities assisting the children in these tropical islands. Through a Blue Moon Opportunity they offer you a chance to change your lifestyle, as well as make a real difference in these children’s lives. Like Jenny, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity you can’t afford to miss.

# # #

YouMe Support Foundation is a non-profit charity, raising funds for non-repayable higher-education grants for geographically and financially disadvantaged children.