A Celebration to Behold: The Secrets of the Rom Dance
On the volcanic island of Ambrym, in the South Pacific archipelago nation of Vanuatu, July brings about the annual yam harvest. On many of the islands in Vanuatu, the yam has special significance and plays a vital role in ceremonies like weddings and as a symbolic gift. To celebrate the yearly harvest, villages across Ambrym hold Yam & Magic festivals that include songs and stories about yams, yam displays, demonstrations of magic and men and women dancing. The most important dance performed at yam festivals is the traditional Rom Dance. A customary ceremonial dance that only involves the men of...
A Brief History Of Kava
Around 40,000 years ago, humans started living in the areas now known as New Guinea and Australia. As time progressed, these early explorers increased their range to the southern Pacific islands. Most historians generally agree that kava, made from the Piper methysticum plant, was first grown on the islands of Vanuatu starting around 3,000 years ago; though, some have argued that its use began in Fiji or New Guinea. After its initial planting and use, the popularity and influence continued on to the east – helped along by the islanders and their sailing canoes. It then appeared in Polynesia, Fiji,...
Bula Celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, a celebration of the rich cultural traditions and heritages of Asian and Pacific island nations in the U.S. While Asian-Pacific seems like a fairly expansive term, it signifies the entire Asian continent and the Pacific island nations of Vanuatu, Fiji, New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and a host of other nations located in Micronesia and Polynesia. As with most commemorative months, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month originated as the result of a congressional bill. In June 1977, U.S. Representatives Norman Mineta of California and Frank Horton of New York introduced legislation into the House...
Remembering Roi Mata, the Last Great Chief of Vanuatu
As part of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, we’re turning the Bula blog back in time to celebrate one of the founding fathers of Vanuatu culture, Roi Mata. History records Roi Mata as a powerful Melanesian chief during the 13th century from an island that is now part of Vanuatu. While Roi Mata’s reign was believed one of peace and harmony, the life of the last great chief of Vanuatu met with a vicious end marked by betrayal. However, the final resting place for Chief Mata remains one of Vanuatu’s lasting cultural treasures, and has left an indelible mark on the...
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