Melanesia Culture

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Blog 30



Part 1:

Port Vila, Vanuatu, April 18 ,2018 – Weather forecast: partly cloudy; temperature 28°C, wind 28kts (7 Beaufort) – overnight gusting to 44kts – 2 to 3-meter swells



Today’s port of call is Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, which was a former French/British colony. They jointly ruled the island chain from 1906 until independence was achieved in 1980. Of the 82 islands that make up this island nation 62 are inhabited and are home to approximately 300,000 inhabitants, some of whom actually practiced cannibalism as late as the 1960’s. There are approximately 105 different indigenous dialects spoken by this population. Today the islands are a peaceful tourist destination with a rugged coastline and a rolling verdant rain forest.



Our tour today took in the magical and mysterious world of ancient Melanesia at the Ekasup Cultural Village set in the heart of the Erakor Rain Forest. We were greeted by traditionally dressed “warriors” who provided an insight into their culture and customs. On the ground in the ceremonial area they demonstrated the techniques employed to do sand drawing. Starting with a bare patch of ground they drew a # and then without removing their fingers from the earth they drew intricate patterns in the sand all in one motion. They also demonstrated how to light a fire by rubbing two sticks together.



Around a large pot set in the middle of the ceremonial area they performed a ritual dance while a “victim” awaited her fate. Cannibalism was practiced but our guides told us that the victims were NOT cooked in a pot but were roasted alive on a spit over the flames. At the end of the guides performance guests were invited to sit in the pot for a photo opportunity. During this time a friendly dog choose Brooke to lean against and have his head scratched.



Part 2:

At Sea, April 19, 2018 – Weather forecast: partly cloudy; temperature 26°C, wind 18kts (5 Beaufort)





Today we set our clocks forward one hour as we moved eastward. Our biggest time change is still two days away.

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Photos

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Sand art symbols

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Warrior drawing

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Finished art

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Log drums

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Chief beside his drum

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Warriors dancing

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I have my eye on you!

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Brooke's new friend