Woman blo TAFEA

Beginning of May, the Youth in my village put on a weeklong ‘Cultural Week’, similar to our International Day’s in school. Cultural Week celebrated the various provinces in Vanuatu and brought to life the different customs and local traditions, which are different even on the smallest of islands. Every student was assigned to a province, I was put in TAFEA, the last 5 islands of Vanuatu; Tanna, Arrow, Fortuna, Erromango, and Aneityum. The event was a weeklong celebration that had different activities each night such as: Monday- IceBreakers and Singing, Tuesday- Custom Dancing and Food, Wednesday: Local Language Songs and Skits, Thursday: Dramas, and Friday- was a closing ceremony with province parades. Each group/ province was required to participate and prepare activities for each of the nights events.

    Coconut Husk Hats, Grass Skirts, and Bamboo Spears

Community Mosh Pit

Group TAFEA

 By far, this has been my favorite event/activity in my community! I not only learned so much about TAFEA but all the other provinces, as well. And being the only group with ‘white misses’ meant that I was put in the front row for all the activities and our group received the loudest applause, because let’s face it… I’m Awesome… just kidding. Vanuatu is such an Amazing Country, and I am just so lucky to be here.

  Also, in the spirit of learning new things, I taught the Youth some must-play games from the U.S.A. such as: The Limbo (a huge hit), Musical Chairs (another huge hit), Sharks and Minnows, Uno, and of course the YMCA and Water Sprinkler dances. Tuff Tumas!!

                                            Custom Dance

                                    Our 'Flas' or Very Fancy Stage