Lamen Island Customs



1.  It is not custom for men and women to be holding hands in public or show affection towards each other, however men can hold hands and women can hold hands and show affection for their best friends.

2.  When women have children they are not to leave their house for 3 months.  They are to stay with the child during this time.  Teachers are not suppose to have children because this would take them away from school.

3.  If a relative asks to adopt your child (born or unborn) you allow the adoption to take place.  It is not customary to refuse an adoption and keep your child.

4.  Status is determined by the amount of pigs you have.  Chiefs generally have the most pigs.

5.  If there is an illegal issue or problem on the island the chiefs gather and make the decision of the consequence.  If the problem involves people the chiefs gather along with the town and a shaming occurs.  A shaming involves the town and chiefs circling around the accused.  Everyone can say something to the accused and if the accused lowers their head then someone in the crowd pulls their head up so they have to maintain eye contact with everyone.

6.  Women wear long skirts, children wear under ware (that is until the girls start to Bud, as they call it, and then wear dresses), men wear shorts and t-shirts.

7.  The feeling of safety is never-ending on the island.  There is no violence and therefore no need to fear for your safety at night.  Everyone says hello, and you can leave your stuff and know it will be there when you return. 

8.  There are two churches on the island. The Assembly of God and the Christian church. 

9.  Animal treatment is out right inhumane!  My negative.

10.  School system is children go to primary school (K-6).  After sixth grade they take a test and if they pass they go to secondary school.  If they fail the test they can repeat sixth grade or stop their education.  Girls and boys wear green dresses on certain days, blue on other days and I think Friday's are whatever you want to wear days.

11.  Children pay .12 cents USD a day to attend school.

12.  The school bell rings three times, 1st bell = let everyone know school is starting, 2nd bell = you should be in class, 3rd bell = better get to class.

13. There is really no concept of age.  People are born and recorded in an imaginary book somewhere in Vanuatu and that is it.  No social security number, nothing.

14. No daylight savings time changes.

15.  Livestock (pigs, chickens, ect.) walk around the island freely.  If you want to have chicken one night you have to hunt down your meal.  There are no chicken houses, because the locals cannot understand the concept of chickens living in a house, so eggs are very expensive.

Home                                       Lamen Island                        Honeymoon