Culture & Kastom

Vanuatu’s culture and kastom is intrinsic to the lifeblood of the country.

Kastom is the ni-Vanuatu way of life, and includes (but isn’t limited to) cultural practices. In your time in Vanuatu, you’ll encounter many components of kastom, whether it be performances, handicraft or customs.

This module will outline some of the key cultural experiences you can have in Vanuatu, what, where and how to buy handicrafts and some helpful phrases in Bislama (one of Vanuatu’s three official languages).

Cultural Experiences

While in Vanuatu, there are a range of ways you can engage more directly with the local culture across all islands.

Ekasup Cultural Village, located just out of Port Vila, is open Monday-Saturday. We suggest Friday night as being a great time to visit, as you’ll experience an island feast including kava tasting and entertainment. Booking in advance to visit the village is recommended (and transfers can also be arranged).

On other islands, you can also visit cultural villages, whether it’s Leweton (Santo) to see the water music being performed or down on Tanna, where you can have an immersive experience in a village with Mt Yasur, the world’s most accessible active volcano, as the back drop.

Naghol is land diving, a rite of passage that takes place on Pentecost April-June every year. Tours can be arranged from Port Vila by a range of operators, allowing visitors to witness the original form of bungee jumping, and seeing the men of Pentecost move through the ranks of becoming a man as they jump from higher and higher up the tower.

Rom dancing is performed on Ambrym for special occasions. People from Fanla Village will typically perform the dance for the Fanla Festival in July, considered a sacred event associated with magic and believed to influence harvests. The dancers are dressed in costumes with masks (rom), while bamboo flute music is played in the background and black magic is performed by sorcerers. It’s an unforgettable experience.

The handicrafts of Vanuatu are something you’ll see the locals carrying and using and wondering how you can get your hands on your own!

Before leaving, it’s worth you and your clients watching this YouTube video, outlining what can and can’t be brought back to Australia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teTLAB2VIUo

The handicraft market (haos blong handikraft) in downtown Port Vila is the best spot to pick up some local wares. Reminders are located around the market around what can and can’t be taken back to Australia for quarantine reasons, as well as what needs to be done to ensure a safeguarded return.

Upon return to Australia, remember: declare or beware!

Bislama

While most in Vanuatu will speak English (and others French), Bislama is the overarching language that you’ll hear on the street on a day to day basis. We’ve jotted down a few key phrases that you might overhear and can use yourself in daily travels. You’ll notice that a lot of it is quite like English…but some of it takes a life of its own. These are best read aloud.

Halo – hello

Tankyiu tumas – thank you so much

Hamas? – how much?

Olsem wanem? – how are you?

Welkam – welcome

Nambawan – the best/number one

Nem blong mi – my name is

Mi kam long – I come from

No stret tumas – no worries

Mixmasta blong jesuschrist – helicopter