Vanuatu Native Dancing

Vanuatu is home to strong Kava (a mood mellowing root consumed in abundance by  Pacific Islanders) and a dismissive attitude toward religion introduced by foreigners. Missionaries were banned for a time and are still sparse in many of their islands. It is common for missionaries to take the blame for anything bad that is unexplainable.

When Glen was looking for a place to spearfish, an islander warned of saltwater crocodiles in the bay where we were anchored. Surprised at the presence of those fierce predators outside their normal range, Glen asked how the salties arrived so far east. Reportedly, Vanuatu was outside their range. “The missionaries brought them as pets,” was the sincere answer of a young Vanuatu man.

Vanuatu gave incredible us insight into the old ways on Pacific islands, when men wore nambas (penis sheaths), women wore grass skirts and all survived off the fruits of the ocean, tarot roots and drank kava as a community every afternoon.  Enjoy this short video of native dancers on Malekula Island in Vanuatu. Read Escape from the Ordinary and Crossing Pirate Waters, for more adventures on the far side of the world!