Tjibaou Cultural Center

Behold the wonders of the indigenous Kanak culture at the Tjibaou Cultural Center, a complex of galleries and performance spaces that celebrate native life.

Even the exterior is stunning, as the center’s sail-like pavilions were patterned after the traditional thatched huts of the native Kanaks. You will walk a path that tells the story of man’s creation through the myths and beliefs of the Kanak society. The path is lined with medicinal plants cited in the myths, further underlining the importance of the bond between nature and the Kanak people.

There are also gardens representing topics such as rebirth, the duality of men and women, and the spiritual relationship between the visible and invisible worlds. The exhibits inside the center’s three villages reveal the Kanak culture through paintings, sculptures and traditional music and dance performances. One of the most moving exhibits is devoted to the life and work of Jean-Marie Tjibaou, a leader that fought for Kanak independence.