Angam Day
Angam Day is a national holiday celebrated annually on October 26th in the Republic of Nauru. It commemorates the recovery of Nauruan society and the restoration of the Nauruan people's traditional way of life following the devastating impact of World War II. Specifically, it marks the return of Nauruans from Truk (now Chuuk) Island in Micronesia, where they were forcibly relocated by the Japanese occupation forces during the war.
The relocation and subsequent hardships faced by the Nauruans on Truk decimated the population. Malnutrition, disease, and bombing raids contributed to a significant loss of life. The survivors who returned to Nauru on January 31, 1946, found their homeland ravaged by war.
Originally, the return from Truk was celebrated. However, due to the severe reduction in population caused by the war, Angam Day was then established as a day to celebrate the restoration of Nauruan population. The term "angam" itself signifies "homecoming" or "to be free from all distress," but in a demographic context, it refers to reaching a desired population number where the future of the Nauruan people is secured.
Traditionally, Angam Day was celebrated when the Nauruan population reached 1,500 after it was depleted during World War I and subsequently during World War II. The first Angam Day was celebrated in 1932 after the population reached 1,500. After World War II, the target population was again set at 1,500. Once the population reached this number after the war, the date of October 26th was permanently designated as Angam Day, regardless of whether the population was exactly at that target number.
Modern celebrations of Angam Day typically include traditional Nauruan dances, cultural performances, feasts, and sporting events. The holiday is a significant occasion for reflection on the resilience of the Nauruan people and the importance of preserving their cultural heritage. It serves as a reminder of the challenges overcome in the past and a celebration of Nauru's continued existence as a nation.