The Pacific nation formerly known as Nauru has officially become the Republic of Naoero. Parliament made the decision and the AP reported it on Monday, with President David Adeang explaining that the old name belonged to a colonial era and did not reflect how the islanders speak about their home.
The change was not rushed. The government initially planned to ask citizens in a referendum, but Adeang announced on social media that the vote would not happen. He argued that Naoero is already part of everyday life, appears on the national coat of arms and is compatible with the constitution.
Nauru was never a native name. It was introduced during colonial rule because Europeans struggled with the local pronunciation of Naoero. According to The Guardian, the island was spotted by a British sailor in 1798 and named Pleasant Island, as the sailor was captivated by its landscape and the welcoming attitude of the inhabitants.
Tradition over politics
Adeang was clear that the decision should not be read as a political gesture. Instead, he framed it as an obligation to earlier generations and a way to secure what matters for the future.
– The current change is not political; it serves the protection of ancestral heritage and strengthening of the future of next generations – said David Adeang.
The president also stressed that the survival of the local language is a key motive behind the change.
Small in size, clear in direction
Naoero’s new name has already been accepted by the United Nations, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. That means the country will now appear under its chosen name in international forums and diplomatic records.
Geography makes the move particularly symbolic. The island lies around 3,000 kilometres to the northeast of Australia and about 42 kilometres south of the equator. Its territory covers just over 21 square kilometres, which makes Naoero the smallest republic on Earth by area and population. Only Vatican City and Monaco are smaller states.
There is also a longer colonial administrative history behind the old spelling. After Prussia annexed the island in 1888, Nauru was used in official papers. Other variants recorded over time include Nawodo and Navoda Onawero.
Źródło: Polsat News, Fot. Polsat News
