Angam Day
This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (November 2018) |
Angam Day | |
---|---|
Observed by | 26 October |
Next time | 26 October 2024 |
Frequency | Annual |
Angam Day is a
Etymology
The Nauruan word angam means "jubilation", "celebration", "to have triumphed over all hardships" [1] or "to have reached a set goal" or "coming home".[citation needed]
General
Angam Day is a day of
History
Before Angam
As early as 1902, an influenza epidemic took toll of no less than 219 lives. At the time of the initial phosphate operations during 1905 the population was about 1,550. With the introduction of labour for the phosphate operations, a sudden downward trend in brought by the newly introduced labour. This spate of epidemics included many casualties among the Nauruan people. During 1907, infantile paralysis systematically killed the Nauruan population.[4]
The first goal came about in 1919, just after
First Angam
After thirteen years, the Nauruan population reached 1,500 to much jubilation and celebrations. The first Angam Baby, Eidagaruwo, was born on 26 October 1932. Her name expresses the feeling of “reaching home” or “attaining a goal”; it was given to her by the Administrator and Chiefs.[5] That night large bonfires were lit on the beach on every district and chiefs judged who had the biggest bonfire. Aiwo District had the largest bonfire with blue flames, made by stoking the fire with copper wire.[5]
It turned out there was to be more than one Angam. During the Japanese occupation of Nauru and other Pacific territories during World War II, 1,201 Nauruans were evacuated to Truk (now Chuuk). Of the 1,201 evacuees to Truk only 737 returned after the war, and of the about 600 left behind on Nauru, a total of around 400 survived.
The Angam girl, Eidegenegen Eidagaruwo, did not make it back from Truk as she had died of malnutrition and yaws like most of the other Nauruans who had died in Truk.
Second Angam
The aftermath of WWII showed the Nauruans that, to survive as a race, they would have to strive to increase their population for a second time. The race for a new Angam Baby was on.
On 31 March 1949 the people of
Modern Angam Day Celebrations
In 2017, at 91 years old, Muriel Cecil was the oldest Nauruan. She spoke on behalf of fellow survivors of the war underscoring in simple terms the hardship of war yet the blessings of God in bringing them back home from Truk Island.
Muriel donned a replica of the dress she and other female returnees from Truk wore on their return to Nauru in 1946 after two years in exile.[3]
See also
References
- ^ "nauru bulletin 72" (PDF). nauru government. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
- ISBN 9780824830373. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
- ^ a b Team, Internet. "Angam remembered and celebrated". Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Yaren, Republic of Nauru 中華民國駐諾魯共和國大使館. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ "Angam Day - The Government of the Republic of Nauru". naurugov.nr. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
- ^ a b "ANGAM Day - Nauru, National Day". Pacific Tourism Organisation. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
Further reading
- "Angam Day, Nauru". Wilson's Blogmanac. 26 October 2004.