I just came back from my Vanuatu-trip.
In Pentecost I became a witness to tragedy as the Nagol-tower in the village of Londot tipped over, fell to the ground, killed one person and injured 3 or 4 others.
The accident happened just after one of the last jumpers successfully had completed his jump. All the victims were up in the tower when it collapsed. The person who died was a cameraman from VBTC who was filming the jump from the top of the tower. (It is said that he actually worked for National Geographic who by using a local film crew could avoid the ban of commercial filming of the Nagol)
According to the locals the tower was not build in kastom tradition. The main pillars was not put deep enough into the ground, it was supported by only two ropes (according to kastom it should be 7 or 8) and it was not buildt with a live tree as main support. In addition the jumping had started at least 5 days to early and the cameraman and sound engineer was not dressed in the kastom way.
The accident could put a stop for the many mostly commercial land-diving seremonies arranged in several South Pentecost villages. (like this one)
Apart from this incident I had a wonderful time in Vanuatu. Especially in Pentecost and the peacful village of Pangi. When leaving Pangi it felt just like leaving home!
My pics from Vanuatu: http://www.pbase.com/bolla49/vanuatu
eflatjan
http://www.pbase.com/bolla49
| 