The traditional culture of the Melanesian people who make up the ni-Vanuatu population is complex and fascinating.

Because there are over 100 different tribal communities, customs and languages are extremely diverse. Most visitors to Vanuatu only touch the surface with perhaps a museum visit and a Melanesian feast that includes local dance. No matter what curriculum key learning area of is the thrust behind a study tour, cultural experiences make up each of our itineraries.

One 'tour' we are very pleased to have secured is the Ekasup Cultural Village and Melanesian Feast. This is exclusive to the visiting school and the students (and teachers) become part of the village for a few hours. There's fun, adrenalin and lots of information. From the time warriors 'kidnap' the group when they alight from the bus to the end of the feast and entertainment they are captivated. They are taught traditional hunting, trapping and fishing methods (a use for spider webs most wouldn't have considered!), about custom medicine, food preparation and then entertained by song, dance and stories with a traditional Melanesian feast and kava ceremony.

There's also the Cultural Centre and Museum, a carving centre, the Secret Garden and other attractions around Port Vila. For schools who wish to go a little deeper culturally, we can supply resources on black magic ('klevas' or witchdoctors still practice today), widow strangling, infanticide and cannibalism (the last recorded act was in 1969 - the last unrecorded act may have been half past last week but probably best not to go into that here).

Different islands/tribes have different customs, rituals and ceremonies - circumcisions, marriages, funerals etc. There's the legendary Nahol on Pentecost island (land diving as part of the yam festival), and the Toka Dance on Tanna island. Here's a link to some of the ceremonies on our information site:

Email us for more information on how to incorporate cultural activities into a curriculum-based itinerary or for details on an obligation-free Expression of Interest afternoon/evening.

For a comprehensive list of what to see and do, plus some history and quirky personal observations on Vanuatu, visit Vanuatu A to Z.