Settlement in Vanuatu dates back to around 500BC. For centuries the ni-Vanuatu have recorded their history orally - passing stories, myths and legends from one generation to the next. Sometimes myths and events blur. For example, Roy Mata, the custom chief for Efate and the Shepherd Islands, died around 1265 and stories were told of his burial and that his wives, close relatives and clan leaders chose to be buried alive with him. The stories were so accurate the digs were easy to locate 700 years later (1967) and they revealed exactly what the stories had told.
European explorers visited the islands in the 17th and 18th centuries from various parts of the globe. In 1774, Cook sailed to Malekula, Erromango, Tanna, Santo and Efate (which he named ‘Sandwich Island’). The 19th century saw the indigenous population decimated by atrocities - bloodshed at the hands of sandalwood traders, kidnapping by ‘blackbirders’ to get cheap labour for the cane fields of Queensland and the arrival of missionaries who introduced many diseases.
In 1906, it was decided (without any consultation with the indigenous people) that the New Hebrides (Nouvelles Hebrides) would become an Anglo-French Condominium. This caused chaos and the nickname for the Condominium was the ‘Pandemonium’. There were two currencies (French and English), two prisons, two hospitals, ‘Bobbies’ patrolling one side of the street and gendarmes the other and, for a short time, vehicles drove on both sides of the road.
The early part of the 20th century saw the local people provide cheap labour for white plantation owners in conditions not much better than slavery - long hours, little food and inadequate accommodation. Later, the planters recruited labour from Malaya, China, Vietnam, Fiji and Tonga which explains today’s multicultural mix.
After WWII, a complex power struggle began between the indigenous islanders and the dual colonial interests over the future political and economic course of the islands. The constitutional position was settled in 1977, at a conference between British, French and New Hebridean representatives in Paris, and the islands became fully independent in 1980 with the New Hebrides becoming the Republic of Vanuatu.
At elections held just a few months before scheduled independence, the Vanuaaku Pati (VP) under Walter Lini, an Anglican priest, took a majority in the 46-member parliament. The VP won further elections in 1983 and 1987 and during this period, Lini adopted radical policies, both at home and abroad.
Vanuatu is the only Pacific island to join the Non-Aligned Movement. It is also a member of the Melanesian Spearhead Group – together with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands – whose principal aims are to preserve Melanesian cultural traditions and lobby for independence of New Caledonia (Fiji joined the Group in 1996). It was also strongly opposed to French nuclear tests in the Pacific during the mid-1990s. Lini was eventually deposed as VP leader in 1991 and the VP lost office to the Union of Moderate Parties (UMP) shortly afterwards. They are currently in power, with Prime Minister Serge Vohor at the helm for a fourth term since 2011.
Mostly Christian, the principal religions are Presbyterian (36.7%), Anglican (15%), Roman Catholic (15%), indigenous beliefs (7.6%), Seventh-Day Adventist (6.2%), and Church of Christ (3.8%).
Social conventions:Informal wear is suitable for most occasions. Some establishments appreciate men wearing long trousers in the evenings. Life goes at its own pace (‘island time’) and while modern influences can be seen in the main centres, in some villages on the outer islands, age-old customs continue. Those hiking or exploring must be aware that Vanuatu has strict and sensitive land ownership regulations and permission should be sought before venturing onto private property. Vanuatu is also a tax haven so there is much off-shore investment.
There are three official languages: English, French and Bislama (Pidgin English). Bislama, a Melanesian mixture of French and English, is the most widely used day-to-day language for the ni-Vanuatu people. Everyone involved in tourism areas speaks English and about 40% also speak French. There are more than 115 local dialects and many ni-Vanuatu people speak four or more languages.
