‘The World of Norfolk’ Branding Report in 2009 shared;
The people of Norfolk Island are an inextricable extension of its history. They are a proud race with a strong patriotic fervour, talented, resourceful and hardworking; display a warm, hospitable attitude and a great sense of humour. They are possessive about their land, lineage and lifestyle but are spontaneously generous when it comes to sharing with visitors whatever they own. Many are ready and willing to invite tourists to their homes for a meal after only a casual encounter. They multitask in the true sense of the word, performing two or three jobs in a day; some do it out of economic necessity others because they enjoy the variety or just like to volunteer. Marriage, migration and mobility have altered the mix of the population with the original Pitcairn descendants accounting for 40% of the populace while people of Australian and New Zealander origin are equally represented among the rest.
Language & Greetings
Our traditional greeting in the Norf’k language is ‘whutta-waye’? Translated literally, it means: ‘how are you?’ It’s not just saying ‘hello’… we are instantly concerned with your wellbeing… how are you?
As children, we were brought up to be respectful of the times when we were speaking our Norf’k language. Traditionally it was seen to be rude and disrespectful if you spoke Norf’k within the company of people who didn’t understand what you were saying.
The spelling of ‘whutta-waye’ is from: Beryl Nobbs Palmer, Norfolk Island Dictionary
The Norf’k language historically evolved as an oral language. Therefore a uniform written grammar dictionary does not exist from its development infancy. In more recent years however, many avenues have been explored to preserve and protect our language.
• Our local school hosts language classes with native speakers and activities as a vital component of the Norfolk studies lessons
• Dictionaries and academic book publications have been published documenting linguistic theories and applications
• Use of the language in tourism marketing initiatives is supported
• Encouraging our youth to speak the language more frequently in every day use.
Anthems & special days
‘God Save the Queen’ and the ‘Pitcairn Anthem’ have been traditionally sung on days of our national and community significance. These anthems have shaped and identified our Norfolk community.
The words for ‘Come Ye Blessed’ Pitcairn Anthem were taken from the Book of Matthew in the Bible by George Hunn Nobbs and the music was written by Driver Christian.
‘Come Ye Blessed’ is sung at the end of a funeral service held on the island and at other formal occasions by the Norfolk Island community.
On the island, we celebrate uniquely ‘Norfolk’ historical commemorative days;
• Anniversary Day (or Bounty Day): is celebrated each year on 8th June (or on the consecutive Monday if the 8th is a Saturday or Sunday), to commemorate the arrival of the Pitcairn Islanders on 8th June, 1856.
• Thanksgiving Day: is celebrated on the third Wednesday of November each year. A public holiday, this is primarily a religious festival and indicates the strong influence of the American whalers who visited Norfolk and intermarried with our resident population.
• Foundation Day: is celebrated with a public holiday every 6th March to commemorate the arrival of the first British settlement in 1788.
• ANZAC Day: Norfolk Islanders have volunteered to fight for King and country since the Boer War and made the greatest per capita contributions of all the Commonwealth countries, in each of the world wars. ANZAC Day is therefore an important day of Remembrance for Norfolk Islanders.
• A&H Show: This is the annual exhibition of Norfolk Island’s produce, arts, crafts, education, horsemanship, and so much more.
Oo-a de gude! Oh it’s good!
Norf'k language
