Delve into the fascinating stories, enduring myths, and the enigmatic John Frum cargo cult that shape the mystical identity of Vanuatu.
Listen — all 5 episodes free
0
Where Sorcery Still Shapes Daily Life
This series, Island Tales, explores the myths, legends, and strange belief systems of Vanuatu — from cargo cults to kastom sorcery to living oral traditions that predate…
0:00
1
Tanna's Prophet in an American Uniform
Every February fifteenth, villagers on Tanna Island march in formation carrying bamboo rifles, their chests painted with the letters U-S-A.
0:00
2
Bamboo Rifles and Painted Chests
Every February fifteenth, villages across Tanna Island transform into staging grounds for one of the most distinctive ceremonies in the Pacific.
0:00
3
Revival and Riches: Kastom's Paradox
The John Frum movement carried a contradiction at its core — it urged followers to abandon Christian missions and return to traditional practices like kava drinking,…
0:00
4
Oral Keepers of a Thousand Stories
Vanuatu has over one hundred distinct languages across its islands, and not one of them developed a written form until European missionaries arrived.
0:00