Cultural Traditions in Vanuatu

The vast majority of the population in Vanuatu is made up of the indigenous ni-Vanuatu people (98.5%). The diverse nature of the country's past developmental history over thousands of years - and across the 83 islands that make up the archipelago - has resulted in many different local dialects. Due to the influence of western people over the past few hundred years, pidgin is also spoken widely (called Bislama or Bichelama). Commercially there is widespread use of other languages such as English and French.

Those who travel to several different islands during their holiday in Vanuatu will be able to view the varied customs (called kastam). The indigenous population on each island offers its unique blend of traditions, feasts and celebrations.

Welkam long Vanuatu is pidgin for Welcome to Vanuatu.