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The community of Bunaca on Ouvea put on the first annual Yam Festival in July 2009. The three day festival attracted visitors from all over New Caledonia and some visitors from France and other nations as well. The local villagers all turned out and everyone had a great time. This sphere image was just at the climax of a Bougna making contest where teams of men and women assembled this local food from the raw ingredients of yams, plantains, tomatos, chickens or fish, coconut cream on top all wrapped into a package of special cooking leaves. Following the contest the Bungnas were put into a big earth oven to cook until the evening meal.
Visit the official Destination Iles Loyalte website on Ouvea, Loyalty Islands
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Ouvea Atoll is the northernmost of the four Loyalty Islands. The eastern side of the atoll was uplifted millions of years ago so the whole eastern side forms one long narrow coral island with one of the world's most spectacular white sand beaches along the proctected lagoon. Ouvea is a 40 minute flight from Noumea, New Caledonia aboard Air Caledonie's new ATR turboprop planes. There is one 4 star Ouvea hotel - the Paradis d'Ouvea - two "Gites" and 6 "tribal stay" accommodation. There are also two managed campsites. Ouvea is popular with visitors - especially Japanese visitors - primarily because of the breathtaking beauty of the beach, but also because of the clear protected waters and coral reefs that offer great diving, interesting walks and annual festivals to attend. Two distinct cultural groups live on Ouvea, the Polynesian speaking people of the northern villages and the Melanesian speaking people of the southern villages. All of them also speak French and are French citizens because New Caledonia is part of France.
