The Caac people live primarily in the northeastern region of New Caledonia, especially around the village of Pouébo—known in their own language as Pweevo—within the broader Hoot ma Waap cultural area. Their traditional language is Caac, also called Caaàc, Caawac, Moenebeng, or Mwelebeng, and it belongs to the Extreme Northern branch of the New Caledonian languages.
Historically, part of the Caac community was forcibly relocated in the 1850s, when Marist missionaries moved families from Pouébo and Balade to the region now known as Paita-Mont Dore near Nouméa. This separation gave rise to two varieties of Caac due to differing linguistic influences in the south.
Though modern pressures and the dominance of French have affected language use, Caac remains a meaningful symbol of identity, spoken in family and customary settings and maintained through community pride and cultural memory.
The Caac people live a lifestyle characteristic of northern Kanak communities, blending traditional rhythms with modern realities. Many families engage in gardening, fishing, small-scale agriculture, and localized trade. Their diet consists of root crops, tropical fruits, green vegetables, seafood, and market-available goods, reflecting both land-based and coastal livelihoods.
Family life centers around cooperation across generations. Elders, adults, and youth often share responsibilities in household tasks, food production, and the care of community spaces. Social life remains vibrant, with customary gatherings, family ceremonies, and community events contributing to cultural continuity.
Important festivals typically involve traditional music, dance, presentations of shared food, and church-connected celebrations. Community members also maintain ties with relatives living near Nouméa, since a significant portion of Caac-speaking families now reside in the Paita-Mont Dore area. The mobility between these regions continues to shape daily life, work opportunities, and educational choices.
Christianity—especially Roman Catholicism—is the predominant faith among the Caac people. Christian practice shapes family relationships, community routines, and moral values. Church gatherings mark weekly rhythms and important life events, while Christian holidays serve as major communal celebrations.
Although traditional customs remain respected within the cultural structure, most Caac individuals look to Jesus Christ as the source of blessing, hope, and moral guidance. Their faith is woven naturally into both village and city life.
Spiritual renewal is valuable as the Caac people seek to deepen their walk with Christ amid shifting cultural and economic pressures. Strengthening discipleship resources in the Caac language would affirm their identity and foster deeper engagement with scripture.
Cultural preservation is an ongoing concern, given the vulnerable status of the Caac language and the increasing prioritization of French in education, media, and employment. Intergenerational transmission of Caac would support both linguistic heritage and community cohesion.
Improved opportunities in education, healthcare, transportation infrastructure, and stable employment would help families flourish. Sustained community leadership—both in church and cultural settings—would further empower local families to guide their future with wisdom and stability.
Pray for stronger spiritual growth among Caac believers as they follow Jesus in their daily lives.
Pray for healthy families, meaningful work, and stability in both village and urban settings.
Pray for the preservation of the Caac language and for the development of discipleship materials in Caac.
Pray that the Caac church will become an active part of the global gospel force, bringing Christ's mercy to less-reached peoples in the region.
Scripture Prayers for the Caac, Moenebeng in New Caledonia.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caac_language
https://www.omniglot.com/writing/caac.htm
https://www.peoplegroups.org/people_groups/pg018401/
https://lingweb.eva.mpg.de/channumerals/Caac.htm
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
