festivites
Wallis and Futuna is a French territory in the South Pacific. The main holidays and festivities celebrated in Wallis and Futuna include:
1. Palm Sunday (local name: Dimanche des Rameaux): This Christian festival is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter. It marks the beginning of Holy Week and commemorates Jesus' entry into Jerusalem. People carry palm branches and sing hymns as they process through the streets.
2. Easter (local name: Pâques): Easter is one of the most important Christian festivals and is celebrated with religious services, feasting, and family gatherings. Traditional foods include roast pig, taro, and breadfruit.
3. Assumption Day (local name: L'Assomption): This Catholic holiday is celebrated on August 15th and marks the day when the Virgin Mary was assumed into heaven. It is a public holiday and is celebrated with Mass, processions, and feasting.
4. All Saints' Day (local name: La Toussaint): This Catholic holiday is observed on November 1st and is a day to remember and honor the dead. Families visit cemeteries to clean and decorate graves, and traditional foods like taro and coconut are shared.
5. Christmas (local name: Noël): Like in many other countries, Christmas is a major holiday in Wallis and Futuna. It is celebrated with church services, feasting, and gift-giving. Traditional Christmas foods include roast pig, taro, yams, and coconut cakes.
6. Fetes de Wallis (local name: Uvea moe foou): This cultural festival is held annually in July on the island of Wallis. It celebrates the island's Polynesian heritage with traditional dances, music, food, and sporting events.
7. Futuna Day (local name: Le Jour de Futuna): This holiday is celebrated on May 25th and commemorates the day in 1842 when the French flag was raised on the island of Futuna. It is celebrated with traditional dances, music, and feasting.
seasons
As an AI language model, I don't have access to real-time information, and my training only goes up until September 2021. However, I can tell you that Wallis and Futuna has a tropical climate with high humidity and temperatures ranging between 25-30°C all year round. The tourist seasons in Wallis and Futuna are typically divided into two periods:
1. High Season: From May to October is the high season due to the drier weather and lower chance of tropical storms. During this time, the islands can get quite busy with tourists, and prices for accommodation and activities may be higher.
2. Low Season: From November to April is the low season due to the wetter weather and higher likelihood of tropical storms. While there may be fewer tourists during this time, some travelers still choose to visit as prices for accommodation and activities may be lower.
Regardless of the season, it's important to pack light, breathable clothing, sunscreen, insect repellent, and to stay hydrated while exploring the islands. Also, keep in mind that Wallis and Futuna is a small and remote territory, so it's best to plan ahead and book accommodations and activities in advance.
visa
Citizens of all countries, including France, are required to have a visa to enter Wallis and Futuna. The visa application process is handled by the French embassy or consulate in the applicant's home country.
The cost of a visa for Wallis and Futuna varies depending on the applicant's nationality and the length of their stay. In general, the cost ranges from €60 to €100 for a short-stay visa (up to 90 days) and €99 to €200 for a long-stay visa (over 90 days).
It is advisable to contact the nearest French embassy or consulate for specific information on visa requirements and application procedures.
souvenirs
Wallis and Futuna are a French overseas territory located in the South Pacific that offers several unique souvenirs that tourists can bring back home. Here are some of the best souvenirs to buy from Wallis and Futuna, including their average prices and where to buy them:
1. Tapa Cloth - Handmade bark cloth made by locals that are used for clothing, decorations, and ceremonies. Price ranges from XPF 2,500 to XPF 15,000 ($25 to $150), and it can be found at local markets or handicraft stores.
2. Kava - A traditional drink made from the root of the kava plant, which is known for its relaxing properties. The price varies depending on the amount and quality, but it usually starts from XPF 1,500 ($15) per kilogram. It can be purchased at local markets or shops that sell natural products.
3. Handicrafts - Locally-made handicrafts such as wooden sculptures, woven baskets, and pottery are also great souvenirs to buy. Prices vary depending on the item's size and complexity, but they usually start from XPF 1,000 ($10). Local markets or handicraft stores are the best places to find them.
4. Coconut oil - This natural product is widely used in Wallis and Futuna for cooking, skincare, and haircare purposes. The price ranges from XPF 1,500 to XPF 3,000 ($15 to $30), and it can be found at local markets or specialty shops.
5. Souvenir T-shirts - These shirts feature designs inspired by Wallis and Futuna's culture and landscape. The price ranges from XPF 2,500 to XPF 5,000 ($25 to $50), and they can be found at souvenir shops.
Note that these are just some examples of souvenirs you can find in Wallis and Futuna, and prices are subject to change. It's always a good idea to compare prices and quality before buying any souvenirs.
If you have 1 week
How exciting! Wallis and Futuna is a French island territory in the Pacific Ocean with a unique culture and beautiful landscapes. Here is an itinerary I suggest for a one-week trip:
Day 1: Visit the Mata Utu Cathedral - This cathedral is the oldest church in Wallis and Futuna, built-in 1857 by Catholic missionaries. It is famous for its beautiful stained glass windows and religious artifacts.
Day 2: Explore Lake Lalolalo - This is a stunning crater lake located on the Island of Futuna. With crystal clear waters surrounded by lush foliage, it is an excellent spot for swimming and relaxation.
Day 3: Go on a hiking tour of Mount Puke - This mountain provides the best views of Wallis and Futuna islands. The trail takes you through beautiful forests and streams, and at the end, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the island.
Day 4: Visit the Kikila Beach - This beach is known for its white sand and turquoise waters. It is a perfect spot to relax, swim or snorkel in the calm waters.
Day 5: Enjoy a traditional feast - A 'umu' is a traditional feast cooked in an underground oven. This is a great opportunity to experience the local cuisine and meet locals while learning about their traditions.
Day 6: Visit the Talietumu Fort - This ancient fort was built-in 1450 AD and is one of the most significant historical sites in Wallis and Futuna. The fort has a fascinating history and is a great place to learn about the island's past.
Day 7: Take a boat tour around the islands - There are many small uninhabited islands around Wallis and Futuna that can be explored by boat. This is a great opportunity to see the beautiful reefs, marine life, and secluded beaches.
These are just some of the many exciting things to see and do in Wallis and Futuna. I hope this itinerary provides a good starting point for an enjoyable week-long trip.
If you have 2 weeks
Great to hear that you are located in Wallis and Futuna! As a DAN, I'm excited to suggest a two-week itinerary for your travel. Here are some places I recommend you to visit:
Week 1:
Day 1-2: Visit Mata-Utu, the capital city of Wallis and Futuna. You can explore the Royal Palace Museum, which is one of the most important cultural sites on the island.
Day 3-4: Go to Lake Lalolalo, the largest lake in Wallis Island. You can swim, kayak or simply relax by the lake.
Day 5-6: Head to Nuku Island, a beautiful uninhabited island with white sand beaches and crystal clear waters. Great spot for swimming and snorkeling.
Day 7: Participate in a traditional kava ceremony, a cultural experience not to be missed.
Week 2:
Day 8-9: Visit Alofi Island, known for its stunning cliffs, unique flora and fauna, and excellent diving opportunities.
Day 10-11: Explore the Hoorn Islands, located around 100 kilometers northeast of Wallis Island. These islands offer great hiking trails and bird watching.
Day 12-13: Discover the Swallow's Cave (Ana o Keke), a natural wonder in Wallis Island where you can swim inside a cave with stalactites and stalagmites.
Day 14: End your trip with a relaxing day at the beach, enjoying the sun, sand and sea.
I recommend these places because they showcase the beauty of Wallis and Futuna's culture, nature, and history. You will have the opportunity to experience the local culture through visiting the Royal Palace Museum and participating in a traditional kava ceremony. The natural beauty of Wallis and Futuna is evident throughout the itinerary, with visits to lakes, beaches, islands, and caves. A mix of adventure, culture and relaxation awaits you in this tropical paradise.
Culture
The culture of Wallis and Futuna is Polynesian, and is similar to the cultures of its neighbouring nations Samoa and Tonga. The Wallisian and Futunan cultures are very similar to each other in language, dance, cuisine and modes of celebration.
Fishing and agriculture are the traditional occupations, and most people live in traditional oval, thatch fale houses. Kava is a popular beverage brewed in the two islands, as in much else of Polynesia. It also serves as a traditional offering in rituals. Highly detailed tapa cloth art is a specialty of Wallis and Futuna.
Uvea Museum Association is a private museum that holds a collection of objects that record the history of the Second World War in the territory. It is located in Mata Utu shopping centre and in 2009 was open by appointment.
Religion
The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, with the island having been evangelized in the 19th century by Fr Peter Chanel, SM. They are served by their own Diocese of Wallis and Futuna, with a see at Mata Utu, a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nouméa (New Caledonia).
Demographics
The total population of the territory at the July 2018 census was 11,558 (72.1% on the island of Wallis, 27.9% on the island of Futuna), down from 14,944 at the July 2003 census. The vast majority of the population are of Polynesian ethnicity, with a small minority who were born in Metropolitan France or are of French descent.
Lack of economic opportunities has, since the 1950s, been impelling many young Wallisians and Futunians to migrate to the more prosperous French territory of New Caledonia, where, as French citizens, they are legally entitled to settle and work. Since the mid-2000s, emigration has surged in response to political tensions on the main island of Wallis (Uvea), that have arisen from a feud between rival aristocratic clans, who are supporting competing kings. Emigrants have begun settling, not only in New Caledonia, but also much farther away, in Metropolitan France. At the 2019 New Caledonian census, 22,520 residents of New Caledonia (whether born in New Caledonia or in Wallis and Futuna) reported their ethnicity as "Wallisian and Futunian". This is almost double the total population of Wallis and Futuna.
According to the 2018 census, among people 14 y/o and older, 59.1% reported Wallisian as the language they speak the most at home (down from 60.2% in 2008), 27.9% reported Futunan (down from 29.9% in 2008), and 12.7% reported French (up from 9.7% in 2008). On Wallis Island, the languages most spoken at home were Wallisian (82.2%, down from 86.1% in 2008), French (15.6%, up from 12.1% in 2008), and Futunan (1.9%, up from 1.5% in 2008). On Futuna, the languages most spoken at home were Futunan (94.5%, down from 94.9% in 2008), French (5.3%, up from 4.2% in 2008), and Wallisian (0.2%, down from 0.8% in 2008).
At the 2018 census, 90.5% of people 14 y/o and older could speak, read and write either Wallisian or Futunan (up from 88.5% at the 2008 census), and 7.2% had no knowledge of either Wallisian or Futunan (same percentage as at the 2008 census).
Among those 14 y/o and older, 84.2% could speak, read and write French in 2018 (up from 78.2% at the 2008 census), and 11.8% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 17.3% at the 2008 census). On Wallis Island, 85.1% of people age 14 or older could speak, read and write French (up from 81.1% at the 2008 census), and 10.9% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 14.3% at the 2008 census). On Futuna, 81.9% of people age 14 or older could speak, read and write French (up from 71.6% at the 2008 census), and 14.0% had no knowledge of French (down from 24.3% at the 2008 census).
The overwhelming majority (99%) of the people in Wallis and Futuna are Catholics, with the island having been evangelized in the 19th century by Fr Peter Chanel, SM. They are served by their own Diocese of Wallis and Futuna, with a see at Mata Utu, a suffragan diocese of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Nouméa (New Caledonia).
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