A few fun facts

Malekula Island

• Malekula is the archipelago's 2nd largest island.  It was named "Mallicolo" by Captain James Cook in 1774, which interestingly means "pain in the rear."  It is uncertain exactly what characteristic earned it such a title, but some have postulated that it was cannibalism, malaria, fierce tribesmen, or the poison-ivy toilet paper.

• The island is shaped like a sitting dog.  People in Tulwei village describe their location as being "trot blong dog" - the dog's throat.  If you zoom in close on Google maps (satellite view) to the dog's throat, you will see Brenwe Village marked.  Tulwei Village is slightly southwest of Brenwe, and our house is just south of the rather obvious "clear spot" on the road (the spot is the primary school).  The Google satellite photo is quite out of date, well over two years old (thus our house is not visible).

• There are 28 different languages spoken in Malekula alone, the most diverse island in Vanuatu.  A few examples of the Big Nambas language (spoken where we will live) are: white man - terel; grandma - abu dabet; good night - pas metafaren; that's alright - i pas woki.  One of my goals is to gain a working knowledge of the language, mostly so I can understand what in the world people are saying all the time!  Bislama is very effective in teaching the gospel throughout Malekula.  The New Testament was translated into the Big Nambas language in 1986, and is called "Turanien M'Dah".

• There is a well-known "custom story" in Malekula of a man named Ambat, who had two white children - they disobeyed him by eating an apple and were turned black as punishment.  I wish I knew just how old this story was, as it most likely predates the introduction of the Bible by Europeans in the 17th century.  How cool is that!
   
• There are two main cultural groups in Malekula - the Big Nambas and the Small Nambas.  Kudos to those of you who can figure out what a nambas is (stating it would have made this post PG-13)!  Thankfully, both tribes now wear more "European" style clothes.  Otherwise, becoming "all things to all men" would have been a bit embarrassing!

• Eerily, the last victim of cannibalism was cooked in a ground oven in 1969, in the Big Nambas area (which is where we’ll live!).  The grandfather of some of the local Christians practiced this unsavory diet.  I always like to give the Malekulans a hard time around meal time - "you're not going to eat me, are you?!?"

• Some say the Big Nambas were the last group in all of Vanuatu to accept missionary teaching (or any other European influence).  Interesting that members of this tribe were the first on the island to accept and obey the gospel (in October 2009).

• Much of Malekula’s cacao has been certified as organic.  A Swis chocolatier has negotiated an exclusive contract with Tulwei and the surrounding villages, as organic cacao’s demand is increasing while its worldwide supply is decreasing.  He has a ship that comes to Vanuatu three times per year to pick up their beans (the lengthy trip shows just how valuable the cacao really is).  I look forward to working with the local brethren during the harvest season in March and April, as the process is fascinating.  You would never guess that chocolate comes from this yellow fruit.

• Malekula waters “teem with sharks” and there have been several fatalities.  The island also has a significant population of Pacific boas.  Yikes!

• Traditionally, Malekulans believe that you can die from one of only two possible causes - old age or sorcery.