Pentecost Island 2nd April 25th June 2011
Vanuatu is an archipelago of 83 islands, of which two — Matthew and Hunter — are also claimed by the French overseas department of New Caledonia.The nation’s largest towns are the capital Port Vila, situated on Efate, and Luganville, on Espiritu Santo. The highest point of Vanuatu is Mount Tabwemasana, at 1879 m (6158 ft), on the island of Espiritu Santo.
Other notable islands are – Malakula (2041 km), Éfaté (900 km), Erromango (888 km), Ambrym (678 km), Tanna (555 km), Pentecôte (491 km), Épi (445 km), Ambae or Aoba (402 km), Vanua Lava (334 km), Santa Maria (328 km), Maéwo (304 km), Malo (180 km) and Anatom or Aneityum (159 km).
Most of Vanuatu’s islands are mountainous and of volcanic origin, with a tropical or sub-tropical climate. There are several active volcanoes in Vanuatu, including Yasur on the island of Tanna, which is one of the world’s most accessible volcanoes, as well as several underwater ones.
If you are interested in experiencing a little local culture – the Nagol could be a great event to attend – after your volcano trekking, island hoping and diving – you can watch men performing early bungee jumping techniques in traditional land diving ceremonies.
This crazy and sometimes frightening to watch fertility rite has the local men using vines instead of elastic ropes and tree towers instead of metal bridges.
Preparations begin, when the first yams are harvested, then over the following 5 weeks a huge tower that stands between 20 to 30 metres high is constructed amongst the trees. They use the “liana†vines, as they are more elastic after the wet season.
It is the responsibility of each diver to select his own vine.
Their ultimate goal during this dangerous ritual is for the diver’s shoulders to touch the ground, making the earth fertile for the next harvest.
These Nagol rituals are said to have started when a woman named Tamala climbed a tree to escape her irate husband. When he chased her up she threw herself to the ground.
Her distraught husband followed, not realizing that she had tied vines around her ankles. Today the land diving is a show of strength as well as a fertility rite, and a firm message to the women that the men will not be tricked again!
While the local men risk their lives to prove their masculinity, the villagers dance and stomp on the earth to encourage bountiful harvests.
Tourist numbers are restricted, however if you organize your visit in advance, you can book your visit to Pentecost Island, through local carriers.
