Vanuatu is a "Y"-shaped chain of 83 islands lying 2500km
northeast of Sydney (Australia), 2000km north of Auckland (New
Zealand), and 800km west of Nadi (Fiji). The total land mass is around
13,000 sq. km. The islands range in topography from towering volcanic
cones to others covered in dense rainforest to yet others which are
raised coral islands with wide beaches and deep natural harbors. The
people of Vanuatu, a name which means 'Land Eternal', are
predominantly Melanesian.
The Ni Vanuatu have populated these islands for centuries and with
more than 115 distinctly different cultures and languages still
thriving here, Vanuatu is recognized as one of the most culturally
diverse countries in the world. There are small communities of French,
British, Australian, New Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other
Pacific Islands people that make up about 4% of the total
population. Until 1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides,
was jointly administered by France and Great Britain as a
'Condominium'.
Vanuatu is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse
countries in the world. There are small communities of French,
British, Australian, new Zealand, Vietnamese, Chinese and other
Pacific Island people living in harmony with the Ni-Vanuatu. Until
1980 Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, was jointly administered
by France and Britain as a "Condominium".
Most of Vanuatu's islands are lightly populated lush preserves of
forest. Some have active volcanoes. All are surrounded by sea that is
still clean. Of those inhabited, some such as Malekula and Ambrym are
home to some of the South Pacific's last truly primitive people in
places not easily accessible.
Tanna, an hours flight south of Port Vila is the home of the
"John Frum" Cargo Cult people, and is also the location for
the "Toka" ritual dance.
On the island of Pentecost the land diving ritual to appease the
‘harvest god’ takes place during April and May, with men jumping
from towers constructed from vines and bush materials to be brought up
just short of the ground by vines tied to their legs.
During the last century the Presbyterian missionary John Patton
took the gospel to two of the islands. In the history of Vanuatu
Baptists have never been represented. We have started the first
Baptist Church on Efate. There is one Australian working in the
interior of Espiritu Santo with the bushmen there. With 73 inhabited
islands to evangelize we haven’t even scratched the surface of these
islands for Christ.