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Belep | |
|---|---|
 Location of the commune (in red) within New Caledonia | |
 Location of Belep | |
| Coordinates:19°45′00″S163°40′00″E / 19.75°S 163.6667°E /-19.75; 163.6667 | |
| Country | France |
| Sui generis collectivity | New Caledonia |
| Province | North Province |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2020–2026) | Jean-Baptiste Moilou[1] |
Area 1 | 69.5 km2 (26.8 sq mi) |
| Population (2019 census)[2] | 867 |
| • Density | 12.5/km2 (32.3/sq mi) |
| Ethnic distribution | |
| • 2019 census | Kanaks 98.5% Europeans 0.12% Mixed 1.04% Other 0.23% |
| Time zone | UTC+11:00 |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98801 /98811 |
| Elevation | 0–283 m (0–928 ft) (avg. 20 m or 66 ft) |
| 1 New Caledonia Land Register (DITTT) data, which exclude lakes and ponds larger than 1 km² (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) as well as the estuaries of rivers. | |
Belep (French:[belɛp]; sometimes unofficially spelledBélep;Nyâlayu:Dau Ar) is acommune in theNorth Province ofNew Caledonia, an overseas territory ofFrance in thePacific Ocean. It has almost 900 people living on 70 km2.
The commune's territory is made up of the Belep Islands (also known as the Belep Archipelago), which lie to the north of New Caledonia's main island (Grande Terre). The two principal islands in the Belep Archipelago areArt Island (a.k.a. Aar) andPott Islandfr (a.k.a. Phwoc). The rest of thearchipelago consists of theNorthern andSouthern Daos Islands, and several very smallislets.
The administrative centre of the commune is the settlement ofWaala, onArt Island, the largest of theBelep Islands. The local language isNyêlâyu.[3]
The Belep Islands were named after aKanak chief who settled there in ancient times.[citation needed] Gradually, discrete clans of Kanak emerged in different locations on the occupied islands.[4] Traditional life was disrupted by the French colonial presence from the 1800s. ACatholic mission was founded in Belep in 1856 byPierre Lambert (1822–1903) but only lasted until 1863.[citation needed] TheMarists later returned, and another priest c (1913–1998), who lived there 1940–1941, also wrote a history of Bélep in 1985.[5]
In 1879, following a widespread Kanak rebellion led byAtaï [fr], largely on the main island Grande Terre, some of the insurgents were temporarily moved fromGrande Terre to the islands as punishment. The islands were the site of aleper colony between 1892 and 1898 during which time the native islanders were exiled to Balade on the mainland, and suffered greatly. On their return, they were not allowed to reoccupy one of their islands, Isle Pott, taken by a colonial copra farmer, Monsieur Mary, permitted by government authority. It took the clans until the 1950s to get back the island and later it was officially re-incorporated into their customary control.[6]
The standard of living in Belep has risen since the 1950s, in common with other outlying parts of New Caledonia. However, traditions and language are strongly maintained, only half the population can speak French, and few residents have any school certificates having only attended until the age of 12.[7] Around 1955, an airstrip was built in Waala and there are flights, but it is the least frequentedAirCal route.[8] Passenger boats to Koumac and Poum are irregular. A modern medical clinic, serviced by a French doctor and nurses, was also built. Waala has the only primary school, shops, church, and post office. In 1961, Belep became a commune; its first mayor was elected in 1969. In the 1980s, when the movement for Kanak independence became violent (Les Evènements), some Belema migrated to the Mainland to escape political divisions.[6]
Belep struggles to obtain resources from the territorial government and there is still no schooling beyond primary level (children then have to attend boarding school on Grande Terre, in Poum for example). Settlement, disrupted by events in the 19th century, has concentrated clans in Waala. Alcoholism is a serious problem and there have been violent episodes, including the killing of a clinic staff member in 2003.[9]
In August 2016, a large bushfire ravagedIsle Art (Art Island).[10]
The economy is reliant on fishing, the main commercial activity. Around 40% of all registered business are in the fisheries sector. The reef fishScomberomorus commerson, a mackerel, is caught and over 20 tonnes a year are sold.Scallops (Amusium japonicum balloti) are sold to SAS West Pacific Scallops, an Australian company, destined forAustralia andAsia. The scallop trade is supported by the Northern Province and 20% by the clans. It has provided some training and prevented youth from migrating to Grande Terre.[8]
There are smallcobalt reserves, exploited unsuccessfully in the 19th century.[8]
Belep has no tourist facilities and no accommodation for visitors.
Media related toBélep at Wikimedia Commons
