VANUATU: MUSIC AND DANCE

Traditional music in Vanuatu, called kastom singsing or kaston tanis in Bislama, utilizes quite a few different instruments. Some of these instruments and styles may vary from island to island, using percussion instruments like slit drums and rattles as well as aerophones like flutes and conch shells that you blow into. On a few of the islands, other types of drums and string instruments were used, but their use didn’t last long after colonial times for some reason.

Slit drums actually hold a special status among instruments used in Vanuatu. First of all, slit drums aren’t actually drums. They’re more like a hollowed-out piece of wood or bamboo with two slits in the top. If they’re different thicknesses, they’ll produce two different tones when hit with the sticks. Although these slit drums are popular all over the South Pacific islands, Southeast Asia, and Africa, the people of Vanuatu often use a hollowed log to make these drums and then add carvings to the outside of it. These drums are also used to accompany different dances, and on a rare occasion, used as a means of communication.

Many of the dances performed in Vanuatu are steeped in ritual, magic, and storytelling. One of the more well-known and unique dances is the Rom dance from the island of Ambrym. This island is known as being the center of “black magic” due to its two volcanoes filled with molten lava lakes and black sand covering its beaches. This dance comes with chanting about the myths and mysteries of the island, and the dancers are cloaked in dried banana leaves that have been used to create a cloak and a mask.

During the 20th century, string band music became pretty popular throughout Vanuatu. These bands included guitars, ukuleles, drums, and other instruments together. They often sang popular songs in Bislama and other local languages, but they also sang songs about places they’ve visited, romance, or politics and awareness.

Vanessa Quai

By the 1990s, commercial music was taking off, and genres like pop, reggae, reggaeton, African zouk music had a huge influence on their music. Probably the most famous musician from Vanuatu is Vanessa Quai. She’s become quite popular throughout the entire South Pacific region and can sing in multiple languages. Her music is a little pop, a little hip-hop, a little reggae.

Huarere is one of the most popular string bands from Vanuatu. They utilize some great harmonies, and I can see a lot of reggae influence in their music, too. As far as I can tell, they’re singing in Bislama.

Metoxide

I also listened to a couple of reggae bands. The first one I listened to was Stan and the Earth Force. It seemed to have a bit of an old school reggae style. I really liked it. It seemed to draw a lot on Jamaican reggae styles. The other reggae band I listened to was Metoxide. His style was a little more modern, in my opinion. I actually listened to this for a while because I enjoyed it so much.

Finally, I came across a hip-hop group from Port Vila that I enjoyed listening to called Confliction. I was very impressed with them. It’s quite catchy! I appreciate them using different styles of the music, and their cadence and flow is good. Perhaps it’s part of the hip-hop culture, but they also rap in English.

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