Chief Jack

Today I spent the whole day in a UNICEF workshop about child protection. Its terribly draining to sit and listen to people talk about sexual abuse towards young children. It did strike me as odd, that in Vanuatu the traditional punishment for a first time offender is ‘to say sorry’. After this, the second time, you must give a mat.. which your wife would most likely have to make, or even a pig. Failing this the child would be sent away to live with someone else. In one activity in the workshop, every group was given a case of abuse and asked to role-play how they would solve it in their community. I found the role-plays quite fascinating, partly because of the vast cultural gap. The teacher who broke a child’s nose and left a gash on their face was given a warning, but not fired. The father sexually abusing his daughter was given three months to stop the behaviour. The 40 year old chief was not allowed to marry the 13 year old girl, not because she didn’t agree, but because she was too young. He could marry her if he still wanted her in a few years. I felt like putting my hand up and reminding everyone that the girl didn’t want to marry the chief at all, but knew it wasn’t really relevant.

 

Oh, but did I mention that in Vanuatu, there is a tribe that thinks Prince Philip is god? Well, there is. Do you remember, ages ago, when I first arrived I told you about John Frum? He came to Vanuatu at the same time as the missionaries, in the body of a white man and told them to keep to the traditions, and if they did he would bring them lots of western goods from heaven. Well, Prince Philip, is believed to be John Frum’s brother. He once lived in the volcano on Tanna island but escaped over to England and married Queen Elisabeth. Chief Jack immediately recognized him as their God, when he was sailing past Vanuatu one day, many many years ago. Chief Jack was in a canoe welcoming the royal ship. Thirty years has passed, and the tribe still awaits his return, to his rightful place in a grass hut, where he will be waited on hand and foot. Prince Philip, aware of his status as God, has sent two signed photographs to Chief Jack, for the tribe to worship. They are crumbling, apparently due to humidity, so hopefully Prince Philip will be returning to his rightful home quite soon.