About Vanuatu

Vanuatu is the name of a group of 83 islands, 70 of which are inhabited that are situated in the South Pacific. They are one of Australia’s closet neighbours. The population is just over 200,000 most of which live in small villages. The capital is Port Vila on the island of Efate, (this is where we live at present).  Port Vila has a population of approximately 31,000. The only other town/city is Luganville on Santo with a population of approximately 7,000.

Vanuatu’s islands are mountainous, covered with jungle growth and only 2.5% of the land is arable.

Things change rapidly in Vanuatu with Mother Nature’s brilliant displays: cyclones, hailstorms, volcanic eruptions, earth tremors.

As individuals  the ni-Vanuatu   are independent, relying on their agriculture, with their social structure and traditional culture giving everyone a keen sense of belonging. As a country however, Vanuatu is unable to finance the developments it needs, so it is forced to rely on grants and aid programs.

Vanuatu’s fertile volcanic soil is among its greatest assets  — agriculture earns 85% of  the country’s export income. Copra (dried coconut meat) beef and cocoa are the major export earners.

Pre-missionary era

People lived in small clans separated  by deep ravines and  impenetrable jungle. Everyone lived in the shadow of ancestral spirits. Some ghosts were benevolent others  quick to harass the living with famines, natural disasters or military defeat. When anyone suffered a serious misfortune  sorcery or the spirits were blamed.  Skirmishes in the villages were frequent and usually  the victor captured one or two males for the men of high rank to eat.  The victims families would mount reprisals so hostilities continued indefinitely. When a man died his wife/wives and young children would be strangled and  buried with him as they had no one to support them and would be a burden on the rest of the village.

The first missionaries

The first missionaries arrived in 1839 on the island of Erromango.  However as most of them were killed and eaten, the church decided to move carefully, depending on Polynesian teachers who the church thought  would be more acceptable to the islanders than the Europeans.  But Polynesians had not status in Melanesian society so they were also eaten.

Eventually the missionaries were accepted and Vanuatu (or the New Hebrides as it was called then) became a peaceful nation.  Each May  the coming of the Missionaries is celebrated with thankfulness, as light and peace came as a result of their perseverance and sacrifice.

Women

Traditionally a woman’s role  centres on assisting her husband to improve his social position and increase his assets. Fortunately she no longer has her front teeth knocked out to show she is married. These days increasing numbers of women are seeking alternative ways of living. Women have always clothed themselves in art. Mother Hubbard dresses are colourful floral patterns decorated with ribbons and lace. Of course maintaining social harmony  in a village of family members in a remote area is an art in itself.

For more information on Vanuatu www.vanuatuatoz.com

This information has been taken from the Lonely Plant.