Fête du Wailu

Maré Fête locale Fête traditionnelle

Wailu Festival

At the end of July, the Hnawayac tribe organizes its "Waylu" festival, a white-fleshed yam much used in traditional bougna. 3 days of celebration around another of Nengone's flagship products.

Every year, the Hayu association brings together producers and farmers from all 4 corners of Nengone to organize the Waylu festival. The festivities take place in the Hnawayac tribe (Guahma district), located on the island's northern plateau. A new opportunity to promote and sell local agricultural production ahead of the famous Loyalty Islands Fair in September. Wailu, a yam like no other. We know the island of Maré as the agricultural granary of the Loyalty Islands, where many local products are popular with New Caledonians. Wailu is one of them, and you'll find some impressively large and heavy pieces on the market stalls. Do you know the history of this tuber? According to Marcel WAYARIDRI, president of the HAYU association, it was in the 80s that "Pa John Urène" brought back to Nengone some yam plants he found in Waa Wi Luu (Houaïlou) during his visit. He shared the seedlings with one of his cousins, "Pa Robert Wayaridri", to try planting it on the island, to see if this variety of yam would develop well and with the aim of preserving it. The yam found its place there, thanks to the good conditions provided by the Nengone environment, and was able to spread throughout the island. Faced with this success, the elders looked for a name to identify it. So the name... Wailu was chosen, in homage to the commune where it originated. 15 years ago, during the 1st edition of the festival, the yam was officially baptized and a festival has since been dedicated to it every year at the Hnawayac tribe. Wailu is now the star yam, with its soft, white flesh, much used in bougnas. As much appreciated by the SI Nengone as the avocado, the yam remains the flagship product of the "island that speaks to your heart". 3 days of festivities with a large producers' market where, in addition to Wailu, you'll find seasonal fruit and vegetables, seafood, demonstrations, entertainment, a fashion show and a musical springboard. Lire la suite