Origin

"La Brousse" (the bush) in New Caledonia is any part of the island but the town and capital capital city of Noumea.

The name "brousse" may come from former French African colonies but naming the people of the bush "broussards" is more specifically from New Caledonia. People of the bush have for a long time been living in isolation and had to count only onto themselves for survival. Fishing and hunting were therefore mandatory, with the addition of a garden, to feed their families. Money was scarce in the past and even cattle raisers would keep their stock for sale rather than eating some of it. Travelling was lengthy and difficult. It could be done only horse riding, on a boat or by foot.

Most of the people in the past lived in the bush. Most of them are now city dwellers, but it is the bush which marks their history and culture.

Nowadays isolation in the bush is still important, despite modern means of communication. Consumers goods are now easily available but, when you are born "broussard", tradition makes you keep hunting and fishing to feed your family.

Survival in a tough environment forged strong personnalities which often had a good sense of humor. As all hunters and fishermen all over the world "broussards" have many tales to tell, often relating to past times of plenty. Tales are sometimes a little too beautiful and you may wonder whether they are completely genuine, but one always forgives hunters and fishermen for somewhat embellishing their tales.

These tales however reflect New Caledonia specific culture. To disclose some of the them should help knowing better New Caledonians.

There are similarities between characters of New Caledonia bush and the ones of the Australian bush. Some tales may show similarities on both sides of the Coral Sea.