From Nuclear Colonialism to COVID-19 Scepticism: Navigating Political Suffering in French Polynesia

This article explores the intertwined legacies of colonialism and contemporary resistance to state-led health measures in Mā’ohi Nui/French Polynesia, focusing on vaccine scepticism during the COVID-19 pandemic. By examining local responses, the article demonstrates how historical grievances—particularly those related to nuclear testing and colonial violence—continue to shape political dynamics in the region. The refusal of the vaccine and the embrace of traditional medicine are framed as acts of dissent against the perceived colonial system and the weakness of the local government. Drawing on ethnographic examples, the article challenges the homogenisation of vaccine resistance in French media, highlighting the role of local cosmologies and nationalistic aspirations in shaping these movements. By contextualising these events within a broader decolonial framework, the article reveals how resistance to health mandates serves as both a rejection of external control and a reaffirmation of local autonomy. Ultimately, this study argues that health resistance in Mā’ohi Nui/French Polynesia is a continuation of long-standing struggles for sovereignty, illustrating how historical suffering, from colonial exploitation to nuclear testing, remains a critical factor in the politics of suffering and self-determination today.