Naluan Headdress from Malekula
A ceremonial headdress with a soul.
Vanuatu, a name with a particular sonority for a really remote place.
This bifacial headdress is a characteristic example of their traditions. In fact, several are conserved in the Museum – Cultural Centre of the capital, in front of the Parliament.
Although the colonial past, the population preserves its dignity and is proud of its ancestral traditions.
In 2006, right after the Italy won the championship against France, they told us to have slit cockerel’s troat, to celebrate the victory against the hatred ex-colonizers.
Port Vila is the capital of Vanuatu and it’s able to dress up colorful during the two days of celebration in the midst of August.
Just outside Port Vila there are hundreds of astonishing sightseeing.This is a votive clearing.
This clearing seems natural, however it’s an ancient area for ceremonials.
Our headdress comes from the south-west of Malekula Island, one of the most loved area by anthropologist. Besides the ongoing globalization, the population is still attached to ancestral spiritualism, therefore every objects owns a soul.
This headdress is used for “Naluan” ceremonials and properly made in holy area under village chief supervision, which verifies the construction and authorizes the dress on.
As a matter of fact, every detail of the headdress has a specific meaning related to the owners’ family or person.
