December was a tough month in Paama (as prescribed by PC). Being away from home for the first time during the holidays and wonderful traditions. What I missed...Christmas trees, lights on houses, the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago, candlelight service in Eden, visiting with families in NC, parties, watching Ivy and Kinley open presents, meals with my family, FOOD, and I even miss (just a little) the cold...kind of. It's the dead of summer in Vanuatu...I am forever hot and sweaty.
Paama was busy in December because it's their summer vaca which means time to rest and wedding celebrations, bride prices (similar to bridal shower) and other custom ceremonies. Lots of "swimming in powder"...yes baby powder. During weddings and celebrations baby powder is sprinkled, more like poured on people as a blessing. It's pretty comical when everyone is shaking baby powder...black man turned white man in Vanuatu. Pics to come.
I was a bridesmaid for my cousin brother and wore a whie, lacy island dress with a dab of baby powder and smear of lipstick on my cheeks...blush, I guess. The flower girls and bride wore 80's style dresses and we walked to the church being serenaded by a youth singing group. The ceremony was Presbyterian but the wedding was nothing like the productions we typically have back in the U.S. There was no rehearsal or order to it, less stressful really. Cake right after the ceremony and then lunch...a big stew of freshly butcher cow with veggies and noodles. Two cows were butchered and without refridgeration must be eaten in the next day or so. I did not partake in the cow but the cake was yummy.
There was a dance party that evening...a generator was brought to the nakamal (meeting location for all villages and place for kava) near my house and 4 of the same songs played over and over again. Drinking is a bit taboo here because men getting a little cranky (crazy) and want to fight and cause raucous. I danced with the Mamas and watched the belligerent guys late into the night.
New Year in Paama...A custom here for New Year is Bon Ani (Good year in French). I kept thinking they were saying Punany :) People from each village walk to other villages and sing...a New Years caroling, if you will. They sing custom songs, chant, dance and yes, swim in baby powder and spray scent. Stayed up dancing yet again to the same 4 songs.
Happy 2009.
No comments:
Post a Comment