Angam Day
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Angam Day is a holiday recognized in the Republic of Nauru.
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Etymology
The Nauruan word angam means: "jubilation", "celebration", "to have triumphed over all hardships" or "to have reached a set goal" or "coming home".
General
Every year on October 26, Angam Day is observed as a National Holiday on Nauru. Angam Day is a day of celebration and a time of reflection for the Nauruan people. Twice in its history did the Nauruan population fall below 1,500. The Nauruan ethnic group was considered in danger of extinction. On both occasions the Nauruan population recovered and on reaching the magical figure of 1,500, a number considered to be the minimum required for the survival of a race, Angam Day was declared. The first Angam was in 1932 and the second time in 1949.
History
Before Angam
The first goal came about in 1919 just after WWI, when the German occupation in the Pacific and Nauru collapsed and Nauru came under the mandate of Australia, New Zealand and Britain. The Australian Administrator at the time Brigadier General Griffith held a population count and in a meeting with the local chiefs declared that the population of Nauruans was low and if the Nauruans were to survive as a race the population should be no less than 1,500. It was declared that when the population of 1,500 was reached, that day would be a public holiday and would be celebrated every year. That day would be called Angam Day. In addition to this, the baby who completed the set target would be the Angam Baby and it shall receive gifts and honour.
First Angam
After thirteen years, the Nauruan population reached 1,500 to much jubilation and celebrations. The first Angam Baby was born on October 26, 1932. It turned out there were to be more than one Angam. During the Japanese occupation of Nauru and other Pacific territories during WWII. 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, didn't make it back from Truk for 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 that the Nauruans as a race, must strive to increase its population for the second time and the race for a new Angam Baby was on.
On March 31, 1949, the people of Boe celebrated when Bethel Enproe Adam was born to parents Kenye and Clarence Adam. Since then, the Nauruans have been able to celebrate Angam once again. Even though Bethel Enproe was born on a different date, October 26 is still held as the official Angam Day.
See also
External link
- Nauru Online (http://www.nr)