John Frum Movement

jimthomsen23:21 UTC08 Jun 2013

Over the past 2 years I have spent many months in Vanuatu. The people may be the friendliest people in the world.

I have also spent time with many members of the John Frum Movement on Tanna, including with the current leader, Chief Issac. I have come to like and respect these people.

So, as much as I love the Lonely Planet guides I need to complain. When the Vanuatu Lonely Planet guide talks about the John Frum Movement it says, "they worship this god of their collective imagination." I cannot imagine that the LP guide to Rome would ever say "visit the Vatican where they worship a god of their collective imagination."

For anyone visiting
I would recommend spending time on Tanna and maybe a stay in the John Frum village.

hardnosethehighway04:18 UTC10 Jun 2013

Very much agree that the LP books are written by ignorant amateurs-and their editors are no better.

zok10:58 UTC15 Jun 2013

Thanks for the recommendation Jim. What's the best way to go about arranging a stay? If I do get to stay in a village on Tanna, I don't want to be a freeloader - but what's the protocol? Do you offer cash in return and/or bring food? Or is there something else that would be more useful? Cheers.

watsoff19:45 UTC15 Jun 2013

Ditto #1!

jimthomsen09:28 UTC17 Jun 2013

The people in the villages are happy to trade for many things (they do not want gifts, except small things. Be careful, if you give something they will give you something in return..maybe more than they can afford.) Clothes are always welcome, especially for kids and small women. School supplies, pencils, notebooks, etc are great. We brought many National Geographic and those were loved. Fishing hooks, line, etc. are also important. Any solar powered or hand crank lights are great. No battery items since they can't get batteries.
While the people do not need money for daily life, school is very important to them and the cost past 6 grade is very high, so they do want to earn money for that. Most villages have "resorts Bungalows" - about as primitive as you can get. Staying there costs a little money (US$10 a night) but in the right places you can become part of the community. See our story about Mountain Breeze on Tanna (tenayatravels)

We got to know many of the local people on Tanna and have tried to help them by creating a website for their villages. take a look at the one I made for different villages: vanuatutravels com or look at our website: tenayatravels and click on Vanuatu on the home page.

We love these islands and the people and they would love visitors to come and learn about their culture, which they are very proud of.

John Frum Movement Country forums / Pacific Islands & Papua New Guinea / Vanuatu
jimthomsen23:21 UTC08 Jun 2013	Over the past 2 years I have spent many months in Vanuatu. The people may be the friendliest people in the world. I have also spent time with many members of the John Frum Movement on Tanna, including with the current leader, Chief Issac. I have come to like and respect these people. So, as much as I love the Lonely Planet guides I need to complain. When the Vanuatu Lonely Planet guide talks about the John Frum Movement it says, "they worship this god of their collective imagination." I cannot imagine that the LP guide to Rome would ever say "visit the Vatican where they worship a god of their collective imagination." For anyone visiting I would recommend spending time on Tanna and maybe a stay in the John Frum village.
hardnosethehighway04:18 UTC10 Jun 2013	Very much agree that the LP books are written by ignorant amateurs-and their editors are no better.	1
zok10:58 UTC15 Jun 2013	Thanks for the recommendation Jim. What's the best way to go about arranging a stay? If I do get to stay in a village on Tanna, I don't want to be a freeloader - but what's the protocol? Do you offer cash in return and/or bring food? Or is there something else that would be more useful? Cheers.	2
watsoff19:45 UTC15 Jun 2013	Ditto #1!	3
jimthomsen09:28 UTC17 Jun 2013	The people in the villages are happy to trade for many things (they do not want gifts, except small things. Be careful, if you give something they will give you something in return..maybe more than they can afford.) Clothes are always welcome, especially for kids and small women. School supplies, pencils, notebooks, etc are great. We brought many National Geographic and those were loved. Fishing hooks, line, etc. are also important. Any solar powered or hand crank lights are great. No battery items since they can't get batteries. While the people do not need money for daily life, school is very important to them and the cost past 6 grade is very high, so they do want to earn money for that. Most villages have "resorts Bungalows" - about as primitive as you can get. Staying there costs a little money (US$10 a night) but in the right places you can become part of the community. See our story about Mountain Breeze on Tanna (tenayatravels) We got to know many of the local people on Tanna and have tried to help them by creating a website for their villages. take a look at the one I made for different villages: vanuatutravels com or look at our website: tenayatravels and click on Vanuatu on the home page. We love these islands and the people and they would love visitors to come and learn about their culture, which they are very proud of.	4