| MALAKULA & MESCALINE ISLANDS, Vanuatu (con't) |
Emma watches the preparation of the kava, which is much stronger than Fiji kava. They actually use a meat grinder instead of using the method of pounding the root as is done in Fiji. The little lights from burning lanterns are common nighttime sights marking the location of Kava Bars.
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Kastom Customs While some Tribal Kastom Dances are restricted from viewing by outsiders or female tribal members, some are performed for visitors enabling the sharing of the ni-vanuatu culture with the outside world. On the island of Malekula there are two main tribal groups; Small Nambas and Large Nambas. The dance we saw was performed by the Small Namba tribe. |
The Namba Chicken Dance Begins The young men wore the traditional Nambas, the leafed covering worn over the male genitalia by those living the traditional village life. Their bodies were decorated with red, white and black paint. They carried large sticks, which they thrust into the ground as part of their choreography. | ||
One of the men was more painted up than the others, he depicted the Chicken and seemed to lead the dance proceedings. (Ginny and Chicken Man pictured) |