Radio and the redefinition of kastom in Vanuatu

This paper traces the development of radio broadcasting in Vanuatu, arguing that radio was critical to the development of ideas of Vanuatu-as-nation a mong the residents of the archipelago. From its inception, radio broadcast kastom-material understood to derive from the place itself, such as local s ongs and stories-and in broadcasting it contributed to the development of a complex understanding of kastom itself. By this means kastom was defined a s expressive of national unity as well as regional diversity, and as a basi s of identity; the presentation of kastom on the radio has provided Islande rs with a point of connection with the new context of the nation. In tracin g the history and significance of the broadcast of kastom, the paper argues that radio developed a distinctive form in Vanuatu, not addressing a passi ve and private listener, but rather interacting with an audience that engag ed with the radio through correspondence and other contributions, and throu gh both sending and responding to service messages. In 1994 this was overtu rned by creation of the Vanuatu Television and Broadcasting Corporation, wh ich was designed to conform with western commercial models of radio. The co nsequent cutting of kastom programs resulted in a significant and locally a cknowledged disenfranchisement of rural Ni-Vanuatu.