Turaga nation

The Turaga nation is an indigenous movement based in northern Pentecost Island, Vanuatu.

In place of the Western economic system, which is seen as a cause of poverty and foreign dependency, the movement promotes the kastom (custom) economy, based on traditional systems of economic exchange and native forms of currency such as pigs and woven mats.

The Turaga movement operates its own bank (called Tangbunia after the giant baskets in which valuables were traditionally stored) at which these items can be deposited, and has devised a unit of currency (the livatu, equal to the value of a fully curved boar's tusk) in which their value can be reckoned.

Scholars write in the native Raga language or in Bislama, using an alphabet named Avoiuli developed by Viraleo and inspired by traditional sand drawings.

However, Turaga's leaders argue that the values they promote are common to all traditional Melanesian societies and are not incompatible with Christianity.