In Port Vila, we chose to go to Ekasup Cultural Village. We were a bit leary, worried it would be too touristy. David rightly advised bug spray with that suntan lotion. It turned out to be a really nice, well done tour. We were greeted by local Ekasup villagers as we walked in the Erakor Rainforset heading toward their outdoor village. We did not realize warriors would be hiding in the trees pointing swords at us as we ventured in. This was an actual camp some 250 years ago. We learned about traditional remedies from plants, bark, leaves and roots. We learned about how they captured food and caught fish. Marriages were/are arranged. One wife per husband except the chief. When married, people are tatooed like our wedding band. And get this, married women also had no front teeth as once married, they had to put a stick and stone in their mouth which when crunched down broke their front teeth....great way to tell if she is or isn't married.....I am sure the guys thought this one up. They paid for a woman with pigs. So if you wanted to get married, you better start to raise pigs early or wait until very late in life to get married as the pigs had to grow the long tusk in order to have value and this could take 10 yeaars. Very Very interesting. Education still lacking here in the male dominated society. Only half of the children go to school. Cannibalism ended in 1985...or so we were told.
In Port Vila, we chose to go to Ekasup Cultural Village. We were a bit leary, worried it would be too touristy. David rightly advised bug spray with that suntan lotion. It turned out to be a really nice, well done tour. We were greeted by local Ekasup villagers as we walked in the Erakor Rainforset heading toward their outdoor village. We did not realize warriors would be hiding in the trees pointing swords at us as we ventured in. This was an actual camp some 250 years ago. We learned about traditional remedies from plants, bark, leaves and roots. We learned about how they captured food and caught fish. Marriages were/are arranged. One wife per husband except the chief. When married, people are tatooed like our wedding band. And get this, married women also had no front teeth as once married, they had to put a stick and stone in their mouth which when crunched down broke their front teeth....great way to tell if she is or isn't married.....I am sure the guys thought this one up. They paid for a woman with pigs. So if you wanted to get married, you better start to raise pigs early or wait until very late in life to get married as the pigs had to grow the long tusk in order to have value and this could take 10 yeaars. Very Very interesting. Education still lacking here in the male dominated society. Only half of the children go to school. Cannibalism ended in 1985...or so we were told.
Vanuatu is a stunning destination both culturally, and geographically, so diverse with a lot to do.
ReplyDeleteSee thousands of photos of the numerous islands I have taken over the many years living here.
http://picasaweb.google.com/vanuatutravel, and don’t forget to have fun, cheer...John