Avoiuli

Avoiuli is an alphabet used to write Raga and other languages spoken on the Pentecost Island in Vanuatu, such as Apma and Bislama. It is mainly used by the Turaga indigenous movement and is based off traditional sand drawing designs.

Usage


The alphabet has twenty basic letters. There are also additional letters to transliterate the rest of the basic Latin script, as well as additional vowels for other languages of Vanuatu.

There are capital and lowercase letters, with the capital letters looking similar to lowercase but are enlarged and drawn around a + shaped 'frame'. Capital letters are not used much in everyday writing. Occasionally the first letter of a phrase is ornamented with extra loops.

Like with sand drawing words are written in a single stroke with all the letters connected. Since most letters are symmetrical (or nearly symmetrical) Avoiuli easy to read in many orientations. It was designed to be written boustrophedon, but in informal writing most people write from left to right, top to bottom, like with English. On posters Avoiuli is often written right to left, bottom to top.

Other Symbols
Avoiuli has its own numerals, which are used in a similar way to Western numerals, though the digits connect to each other.

Avoiuli also has several currency symbols. In addition to a symbol representing the livatu (the currency of Vanuatu), it also has currency symbols for specific items of traditional value such as pigs and dyed mats.

History
The alphabet was created by Chief Viraleo Boborenvanua over a 14-year period starting in the 1990s, based on traditional sand drawings, and intended as a native alternative to the Latin alphabet.

Students learn to write in Avoiuli at Turaga's traditional school at Lavatmanggemu in north-eastern Pentecost, and at affiliated 'custom schools', paying substantial school fees for the privilege. Avoiuli is also used in record-keeping by the Tangbunia indigenous bank.

In recent years, the Avoiuli script has declined as the Turaga movement itself falters. On Pentecost Island, a few schools still offer courses in the script, often as an addition to their sand-drawing education.