Kanak people
Kanak (formerly also Canaque) are the indigenous Melanesian inhabitants of New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific.
Kanaks comprise 45% of the total population of New Caledonia. The word is derived from kanaka maoli, a Hawaiian word which was at one time applied indiscriminately by European explorers, traders and missionaries in the region to any non-European Pacific islander. Prior to European contact there was no unified state in New Caledonia, and no single self-appellation used to refer to its inhabitants.
Other words have been coined from Kanak in the past few generations: Kanaky is an ethno-political name for the island or the entire territory. Kanéka is a musical genre associated with the Kanak, stylistically a form of reggae with added flutes, percussion and harmonies. Kanéka often has political lyrics and is sung in Drehu, Paici or other Melanesian languages, or in French. Kanakas were Pacific islanders (not just Melanesians) who were abducted to Australia, Chile or Canada to perform forced labour during the 19th century.
