It's definitely one of the most unique experiences on your Vanuatu
holiday.
If you plan to visit Vanuatu in April or May, make arrangements in advance to go to south Pentecost
island, where you can witness the traditional Naghol ceremony. This ceremony involves famous Vanuatu land dive, or
land diving.
This age-old traditional ceremony is probably from where the modern bungy jumping craze
comes.
Pentecost Island, Vanuatu video - provides highlights of
tourism on Pentecost island, including Tarere cultural show, Lautano custom stories, Asaola custom dance,
local handicrafts, sand drawing, cooking in bamboo, Lavatu market, and a whole lot more...
Anyway, it’s called land dive and the local Pentecost islanders have been doing it for eons. But
it’s nothing to do with ‘adrenaline buzz’, although I’m sure the land divers get it – it’s to do with centuries old
tale of a woman who ran away from her husband who was beating her.
National Geographic's Land Divers video - speaks about land
diving ritual, with rare and amazing scenes
She hid in a tall Banyan tree from husband, but he found her and tried to talk her down – if she
came down of her own he won’t beat her… well, not much. If on the other hand he had to climb to get her, she’ll be
really sorry, so he said. But she didn’t budge and he climbed up the tree. When he was about to grab her, she
jumped off the tree. Feeling either sorry for her apparent death, or maybe sorry that he didn’t get her, he too
jumped after her. What he didn’t realize is that while he was climbing up the tree, the woman tied Lianas vines to
her ankles before jumping when he was about to reach her. She lived, he didn’t. At least that’s how the ancient
tale goes.
Land diving scene from Pentecost island, on a wall
mural
Hence the ‘land dive’ tradition or ‘kastom’, known locally as Naghol or N’ghol. The land dive
celebrates this ancient legend, but is also a fertility ritual, to ensure the following year’s good yam harvest. As
well as land divers proving their manhood before their women, who are not allowed to participate in the land dive
preparations – only watch the men jump. And it’s all done ‘au naturel’ – no bungy cords there or safety checks –
just the green jungle vines, which each of land divers prepares himself. It’s a sobering, memorable, once in
lifetime land dive experience – not to be missed. But you must book a few months in advance – the number of
visitors to Pentecost island is strictly limited.
Vanuatu Car Rentals
- There are several car rental companies in Port Vila, both local and
international, offering a good choice of rental cars and prices. These include 4WDs (or SUVs - the all terrain
vehicles), as well as scooters.
Outer Vanuatu
Islands - Get the real taste of Vanuatu by visiting its
outer islands. This South Pacific 83-island archipelago offers unique experience of exploring one of the last
remaining tropical paradises.
Snorkeling - Enjoy some of the most pristine areas and the most amazing coral reefs with astounding sea life
without ever donning a scuba tank by choosing one of the many snorkeling options available in Port
Vila.
Vanuatu Fishing
- The sea plays a great role in day-to-day life of Vanuatu islanders and fishing
is one of the most common activities here. There's a wealth of options available, including reef and deep sea
fishing.