We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

www.HuangMenders.com

We were in the Republic of Vanuatu in search of Female Chiefs of Maewo Island. We heard Vanuatu is considered one of the happiest places on Earth and now we know why. Here’s who we met…

More info: HuangMenders.com

Maewo Island in Vanuatu is a vibrant and lush tropical island in the South Pacific. Female cultural leaders on Maewo Island, known as Notari, are responsible for maintaining and sharing important aspects of traditional Kastom (or Custom) laws.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

To become a Notari (which is sometimes called Ngotari), a women or girl is required to go through a lengthy ceremony known as “making Lengwasa”, which requires a complex series of rituals over several days.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

The women we met were wearing traditional mats, or dresses, which are hand-woven with distinctive patterns which are sometimes tied to family lines.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

This older Notari woman wears a single feather in her hair in recognition of her stature and seniority.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

Gregory is a 1st-level chief on Maewo Island who earned his title by participating in a traditional pig killing ceremony when he was younger. He’s holding his hand-carved walking stick.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

Other chiefs participated in the All Island Cultural Festival wearing traditional dress and parade costumes made of enormous palm fronds and flowers.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

The villagers we met in Maewo were gracious and welcoming to our Female Chiefs of Maewo Expedition. They generously shared insight into their Kastom laws and we’ll be helping preserve their knowledge for future generations.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

www.HuangMenders.com

We were in the Republic of Vanuatu in search of Female Chiefs of Maewo Island. We heard Vanuatu is considered one of the happiest places on Earth and now we know why. Here’s who we met…

More info: HuangMenders.com

Maewo Island in Vanuatu is a vibrant and lush tropical island in the South Pacific. Female cultural leaders on Maewo Island, known as Notari, are responsible for maintaining and sharing important aspects of traditional Kastom (or Custom) laws.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

To become a Notari (which is sometimes called Ngotari), a women or girl is required to go through a lengthy ceremony known as “making Lengwasa”, which requires a complex series of rituals over several days.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

The women we met were wearing traditional mats, or dresses, which are hand-woven with distinctive patterns which are sometimes tied to family lines.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

This older Notari woman wears a single feather in her hair in recognition of her stature and seniority.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

Gregory is a 1st-level chief on Maewo Island who earned his title by participating in a traditional pig killing ceremony when he was younger. He’s holding his hand-carved walking stick.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

Other chiefs participated in the All Island Cultural Festival wearing traditional dress and parade costumes made of enormous palm fronds and flowers.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

The villagers we met in Maewo were gracious and welcoming to our Female Chiefs of Maewo Expedition. They generously shared insight into their Kastom laws and we’ll be helping preserve their knowledge for future generations.

We Brought Our Favorite Orange Backdrop On Our Expedition To The South Pacific

What do you think ?

POST

Linda Engman 8 years ago

Awesome ! I want to learn more

1point

Daniel Farber Huang (Post author) 8 years ago

Hi Linda - Thank you!. It's an incredible place, a complex mix of old and new. One early morning we walked through the village and people were eating breakfast by knocking fresh fruits off trees and sharing among each other. The nights were pitch black with clear starry skies. An unforgettable place.

3points

Load More Replies...

Maewo Island in Vanuatu is a vibrant and lush tropical island in the South Pacific. Female cultural leaders on Maewo Island, known as Notari, are responsible for maintaining and sharing important aspects of traditional Kastom (or Custom) laws.

To become a Notari (which is sometimes called Ngotari), a women or girl is required to go through a lengthy ceremony known as “making Lengwasa”, which requires a complex series of rituals over several days.

The women we met were wearing traditional mats, or dresses, which are hand-woven with distinctive patterns which are sometimes tied to family lines.

This older Notari woman wears a single feather in her hair in recognition of her stature and seniority.

Gregory is a 1st-level chief on Maewo Island who earned his title by participating in a traditional pig killing ceremony when he was younger. He’s holding his hand-carved walking stick.

Other chiefs participated in the All Island Cultural Festival wearing traditional dress and parade costumes made of enormous palm fronds and flowers.

The villagers we met in Maewo were gracious and welcoming to our Female Chiefs of Maewo Expedition. They generously shared insight into their Kastom laws and we’ll be helping preserve their knowledge for future generations.

Maewo Island in Vanuatu is a vibrant and lush tropical island in the South Pacific. Female cultural leaders on Maewo Island, known as Notari, are responsible for maintaining and sharing important aspects of traditional Kastom (or Custom) laws.

To become a Notari (which is sometimes called Ngotari), a women or girl is required to go through a lengthy ceremony known as “making Lengwasa”, which requires a complex series of rituals over several days.

The women we met were wearing traditional mats, or dresses, which are hand-woven with distinctive patterns which are sometimes tied to family lines.

This older Notari woman wears a single feather in her hair in recognition of her stature and seniority.

Gregory is a 1st-level chief on Maewo Island who earned his title by participating in a traditional pig killing ceremony when he was younger. He’s holding his hand-carved walking stick.

Other chiefs participated in the All Island Cultural Festival wearing traditional dress and parade costumes made of enormous palm fronds and flowers.

The villagers we met in Maewo were gracious and welcoming to our Female Chiefs of Maewo Expedition. They generously shared insight into their Kastom laws and we’ll be helping preserve their knowledge for future generations.

Games