Vanuatu, Tropical Island of Paradise, Finally Reveals Some of Its Long Hidden Secrets.
The
Pentecost land diving in the tropical islands of Vanuatu archipelago was born in the mists
of time in Vanuatu, remarkably called the Birth Place
of Extreme Sport. Land diving involves jumping from a tower with a rope
attached to your leg similar to its successor bungee jumping but without the
rubber stretchable rope.
The Nation Vanuatu was
also the inspiration for the book by James A Michener, which in turn inspired
the classic musical Rodgers and Hammerstein?s 1958 film South Pacific. The
Television version of the original classic, in 2001, never found favor with the
viewing public.
Vanuatu rose to the forefront once again,
in 2006, when it was voted the Happiest Country on Earth.
World
Heritage status was recently granted to the grave site of the last Paramount
Chief of Vanuatu, Chief Roi Mata. It is believe more
than 20 wives and some of his men were buried live with the king. It is said
the men were given kava, a local calming drink, which the women were forbidden
to have, in order to prepare them for their final ordeal.
Vanuatu is once again setting the world on
edge, with its recent release of unique and traditionally well hidden art, from
the northern island of Ambrym. Many of the pieces could well be
mistaken for contemporary art work. It is no wonder the art world is in a spin
over the carvings, never before seen outside the tiny pacific nation.
A similar
piece was found in a museum in Britain, however, there is nothing like it
in the museums of Europe and America.
Towering high over the
heads of the tourist, the wooden slit gongs go virtually unnoticed, so
commonplace are they in the local communities and villages. With up to five heads
carved on the gongs, they are among the largest free standing musical
instruments on earth.
Gazing at
the sometimes four metre high gongs, few are aware of the connection to the
hidden secrets of Vanuatu society.
The
stylized form of the wooden gong represents the islander?s ancestors. The eyes
representing the morning star of a society which has traditionally kept its
secrets well hidden from the eyes of the world.
The gongs were a vital
part of sacred ceremonies, such as funerals, initiations and dances. Carefully
coordinated actions by multiple drummers, beat the lip of the gongs with a
small wooden club. These informal village orchestras performed rhythmical music
creations of immense variety and complexity, such pieces still amazing travelers
and locals to this very day.
Smaller hand carved
versions of these large musical instruments are frequently carried home by
tourists to these tropical islands, totally unaware of the deep cultural
significance.
By releasing some of
their secret and sacred artifacts to the world, the Chiefs of Vanuatu hope to
bring about a renewed awareness of their ancient culture. They are aware that
education of the younger generation is the only way to preserve their ancient
ways. Very few young people have any knowledge of the art of the intricate language
of the gong.
Hopefully the sharing
of their secrets will draw attention to the desperately needed change in the
education of the next generation of this tiny South Pacific archipelago. The
urgent need for Vanuatu is formal education, if the younger
generation is to take its rightful place in the 21st century.
In the wide spread
nation there is no free education. Most
of families the fees are beyond the meagre incomes of villagers living in no
cash-economy. It?s stunning to think that:
-
26%
of the children will never go to school.
-
18%
will never go to high school.
-
Only
56% will go over year 6.
The government has now admitted it is unable
to meet the country?s educational needs. ?If you refuse to
build schools you will have to build jails.? What a strange tragedy if the
Happiest Country on Earth, a peaceful gentle society, is forced through lack of
action to go this way.
Hopefully
the sharing of their ancient secrets will be the signal of a new day in the
desperately needed education of the younger generation, of this tiny South
Pacific nation. Yet, formal education is the more urgent need of Vanuatu, if the next generation is to stand
in its rightful place in the 21st century.
Many islanders
live on under $1 per day. Paying tuition fees, in the Happiest Country on
Earth, is completely out of the question. Most of the high achieving students
will have to stop studies after primary school and they will never have the
chance to see the inside of a high school classroom.
There is an
opportunity to help these tremendous people and show that people really care.
Why not take a few minutes to look at this unique world first Blue Moon
Opportunity. This is something you cannot afford to miss. It will change your
life.
About Author:
Dr Wendy
and her husband Rick are CEO?s of YouMe Support Foundation Child Trust Fund.
Through a Blue Moon Opportunity, world first, they are offering Seachange Lodge
Resort as an Internet Raffle. The funds provide non-repayable education grants
for children who will never see the inside of a high school classroom without
outside assistance.
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