Big nambas
VulcanSpirit
Richard & Alison Brunstrom
Thu 29 Aug 2013 11:06
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The dancing on Ambrym is all done in traditional
dress. For the men this is a nambas, or penis sheath made from a cleverly folded
leaf held up by a belt. On Malekula island there were two tribes that were
mortal enemies, distinguished as the Big Nambas and the Smol Nambas (smol =
small in Bislama) by the size of their sheaths. On Ambrym the nambas is plain
and simple:
 The women wore grass skirts made from pandanas
leaves for special occasions, and not much at all at other times. These skirts
are really beautifully made, and one is now in the possession of one member of
the crew of Vulcan Spirit, made to order overnight for the princely sum of 500vt
(about £3).
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