Culture & Community: Nauru

Nauru's national flag, which represents the island's position just below the equator.

Culture of Nauru

Nauru is the third smallest country in the world, in population and land mass. Its meager 21 square kilometers of land hold a population of just above 10,000 people. Nauru is about ⅛th the size of Bainbridge island. The majority of Nauru’s economy used to come from phosphate rocks, which are found near the shore of the island. Unfortunately, in the 1990s most of the phosphate deposits were extracted, which means that it stopped becoming a reliable source of income for the economy. For a short amount of time, to earn income after most of the phosphate mines were depleted, Nauru became reliant on money laundering to support their economy. Australia soon stepped in and decided to make a deal with Nauru. The deal was that Australia would set up a detention center for immigrants in Nauru while Nauru would get aid from Australia. Australia benefited from this agreement because by sending immigrants to Nauru, they did not have to process any of the immigrants claims for assylum. In order to file a claim for assylum, you have to file it in the country you are applying for assylum in. This agreement was also very beneficial to Nauru because Australia would provide most of their basic necessities for them.

Nauru was settled over 3,000 years ago by Micronesian fishers. As an influx of Micronesian people settled on Nauru, 12 tribes were formed. These tribes are represented by the 12-pointed star on the country’s flag (pictured above). Around 1800, different colonizers “discovered” Nauru.  Many different countries, like Germany and Japan, have occupied Nauru in the past, but it was most recently occupied by Australia. Nauru became independent from Australia in 1968, following disagreements with how Australia governed. 

Myth

In the olden days, there was a supreme deity who went by the name of Areop-Enap. Areop-Enap lived in a mussel shell during the time when the world was covered in water. He lived with 2 snails, a big one and a small one, and a worm. One day, the big snail decided to create the sun. In response to the sun being created, the smaller snail decided to create the moon. Areop-Enap then tasked the worm to break apart the mussel shell. With the worms strength, the mussel shell was broken apart and the sky and the Earth were formed. The sweat of the worm from the strenuous task of breaking the shell apart became the ocean.

Recipe: 

Nauru Coconut Mousse

(Picture and Recipe by Internationalcusine.com)

1 cup of coconut milk 3 tablespoons of sugar ¾ cup freshly grated coconut plus 2 tablespoons for garnish 1 teaspon agar-agar or gelatin ½ cup heavy cream 4 teaspoons vanilla sugar 2 egg whites

In a large saucepan heat the coconut milk, sugar and coconut without bringing to a boil. Remove from heat and and stir in the agar-agaror gelatin Whisk until cool Beat the whip cream and gradually incorporate the vanilla sugar. Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form Fold in the whip cream cream mixture into the coconut milk mixture. Fold in the egg whites Put in serving containers and let chill for 4 hours In a sauce pan roast the two tablespoons of grated coconut and garnish Enjoy!