Deep in the South Pacific, the 83 islands of Vanuatu pulsate with Kastomโtraditional culture that dictates everything from village hierarchy to planting seasons. It is said that the Ni-Vanuatu people hold approximately 350 distinct superstitions, varying wildly from tribe to tribe and island to island. Here, the spiritual world is not separate from the physical; ancestral spirits, forest dwellers, and the magic of Nakaimas (sorcery) are woven into the tropical air. From the active crater of Mount Yasur to the quiet depths of the village Nakamal, these beliefs form a complex map of respect, fear, and harmony with nature.
Daily Life & Social Taboos
Whistling at Night
Never whistle after the sun goes down. It calls malicious spirits or devils from the bush to your home.
Stepping Over Legs
It is strictly forbidden to step over someoneโs outstretched legs. It stops their growth or causes social shame. Always walk around.
Hide Your Hair Clippings
After a haircut, bury or burn the hair immediately. If a sorcerer finds it, they can use it to cast Nakaimas (black magic) on you.
Touching the Head
The head is the most sacred part of the body (Tapu). Touching a chief’s or an adult’s head without permission strips their Mana (power).
Name Avoidance
In many villages, you must never say the name of your in-laws (especially the father-in-law) directly. It is a sign of deep disrespect.
Night Sweeping
Do not use a broom at night. You are sweeping away the family’s good luck and inviting emptiness.
Left Hand Giving
Never give or receive an object with your left hand. It is considered unclean and insulting.
Food Remains
Do not leave half-eaten food behind. Like hair, leftover food can be collected by enemies to perform magic against you.
Necklaces in Pregnancy
Pregnant women avoid wearing closed necklaces or scarves, believing it will cause the umbilical cord to wrap around the babyโs neck.
Kava Bubbles
When drinking Kava, if the bubbles move toward you, good luck comes. If they move away, prepare for a challenge.
Sneezing
If you sneeze once, someone is saying your name. If you sneeze twice, the gossip is bad.
Spitting in Fire
Never spit into a cooking fire. It insults the fire spirit and can cause your mouth to swell or rot.
Walking Behind a Chief
Never walk in front of a high-ranking Chief or “Big Man.” You must lower your head and pass behind to show subservience.
Climbing Over Food
A woman must not climb a tree or step over food intended for the Nakamal, as it contaminates the sanctity of the meal.
Yawning Openly
Cover your mouth when yawning, or a wandering spirit might try to enter your body.
Nature, Animals & Totems
Gecko Chirping
If a gecko chirps while you are speaking, it is confirmation that you are telling the absolute truth.
Shark Totems
Many families claim sharks as ancestors. They cannot eat shark meat, or they will suffer a skin disease resembling shark skin.
The Owl’s Cry
Hearing an owl screech at night near the village is a definitive omen that someone has just died or will die soon.
Pointing at Rainbows
Never point your finger at a rainbow. It is believed your finger will rot or become permanently crooked.
Butterfly Inside
A butterfly flying into your house represents a visitor coming. A black butterfly means a visitor with bad news.
Banyan Trees
Giant Banyan trees are the homes of spirits. Approaching one without asking permission can result in sickness or disappearance.
Howling Dogs
Dogs can see spirits. If they howl continuously at night without cause, a ghost is walking through the village.
Twin Bananas
A pregnant woman should not eat two bananas fused together, or she will give birth to twins (historically considered difficult).
Volcano Roar
When Mount Yasur or Benbow roars louder than usual, it means the ancestors are displeased with the behavior of the villagers.
Spider Webs
Walking face-first into a spider web on a path is a sign that someone is setting a trap or plotting against you.
Blue Flies
A swarm of large blue flies gathering in one spot indicates the presence of rotten magic or a concealed bad omen.
Fantail Bird
If a Fantail bird flies around you excitedly, chirping, it is trying to guide you to something or warn you of a traveler.
Coconut Crabs
On certain islands, eating Coconut Crab is reserved for Chiefs; if a commoner eats it, they will lose their hair or strength.
Eclipses
Solar eclipses are viewed as the sun dying or being eaten. Historically, drums were beaten loudly to scare away the entity eating the light.
Bursting Bamboo
If bamboo explodes loudly in a fire, it is a sign that arguments or loud disputes are coming to the household.
Magic, Spirits & Agriculture
Magic Stones
Certain stones hold power to control weather. Wrapping a specific stone in leaves can stop the rain; unwrapping it brings a storm.
Yam Planting
Men must abstain from sexual relations before planting yams. Yams are jealous spirits; impurity makes them rot in the ground.
Land Diving (Nagol)
During the Pentecost land diving, if a woman watches the jump too closely, the vines will snap and the diver will be injured.
Blood on the Ground
If you cut yourself in the bush, cover the blood immediately. Spirits are attracted to the scent of fresh life force.
Noon and Sunset
Avoid walking alone in the deep bush exactly at noon or sunset. These are the times when spirits are most active and can steal your soul.
Sleeping Direction
Never sleep with your feet pointing directly out the door. This is the position in which the dead are carried out.
Tapu Areas
Entering a marked Tapu (taboo) areaโoften marked by Namele leavesโbrings a curse of sickness that modern medicine cannot cure.
Looking Back
When leaving a cemetery or a place where a spirit dwells, never look back, or the spirit may follow you home.
Rom Masks
On Ambrym island, the Rom dancers are possessed by spirits. Touching their costume or mask can result in a fine or spiritual retribution.
Dream of Falling Teeth
Just like in many cultures, dreaming your teeth are falling out signals the impending death of a family member.
Conch Shells
Blowing a conch shell at night without reason is forbidden; it disturbs the ancestors and mimics the signal for a disaster.
Pig Tusks
A pig with a fully circled tusk carries spiritual protection. Stealing one brings a curse of poverty on your lineage.
Rain Calling
Certain clans possess the ability to “call” rain by disturbing specific bodies of water in the highlands.
Sand Drawings
Sandroings constitute a maze. It is believed that upon death, a guardian spirit challenges the soul to complete a sand maze to enter the afterlife.
Sudden Chills
Feeling a sudden cold shiver means a spirit has just walked through your body.
Falling Coconuts
It is said a coconut has eyes and will never fall on a “good” person. If one hits you, you carry bad guilt or bad luck.
Fish Bones
Never burn fish bones in the fire; it insults the sea spirits and will make the fish disappear from the reef.
Swimming Alone
Swimming alone in deep water is dangerous not just because of sharks, but because sea spirits may pull you down to join their village.
Itchy Palms
An itchy right palm means you will shake hands with a stranger; an itchy left palm means you will receive money or pigs.
Cargo Cult (Tanna)
Followers of John Frum believe that performing military drills with bamboo rifles will entice American planes to return with wealth (“cargo”).
Using Someone’s Image
Some elders fear photography, believing the camera captures a piece of the soul (shadow) that can be used for sorcery.
Knife Edge Up
Leaving a knife with the blade facing up will cause a fight or cut the ties of friendship.
New House Ritual
Before living in a new house, leaves must be hung to ward off spirits who might have occupied the empty space during construction.
Namele Leaf
If you see a crossed Namele leaf on a path or property, do not cross. It is a supreme sign of prohibition and death threat.
Returning Borrowed Items
When returning a basket or container, never return it empty. You must put a small gift inside to ensure friendship remains.
River Crossing
In some highland areas, you must throw a stone into the river before crossing to ask the water spirit for safe passage.
Fireflies
A firefly entering the house is often seen as the spirit of a recently deceased relative coming to check on the family.
Full Moon Planting
Root crops should be planted during the full moon so they grow round and large like the moon itself.
Salt in the House
Spilling salt is bad luck, often remedied by throwing a pinch over the shoulder, a custom adopted and mixed with local beliefs.
Driftwood
Certain types of driftwood found on the beach should not be burned; they may be parts of canoes used by spirits.
Ringing Ears
A ringing in the left ear means bad news is coming; the right ear signals good tidings.
Morning Fog
Heavy fog in the morning is interpreted as the smoke from the fires of the spirits preparing a feast.
Pregnant Women and Fish
A pregnant woman must avoid eating fish with spots, or the baby will be born with spots on their skin.
The Wrong Path
If you trip on a flat path, it is a warning. Turn back immediately; whatever you were going to do will fail.
Rats
A rat gnawing on your clothes is an omen of death or severe sickness in the family.
References & Cultural Heritage Resources
- Vanuatu Kaljoral Senta (Vanuatu Cultural Centre) โ The principal national institution responsible for the preservation and promotion of Vanuatu’s diverse cultures.
- UNESCO โ Sand Drawings of Vanuatu โ Detailed information on the ritualistic and communicative aspects of sand drawings (Sandroing).
- Vanuatu Tourism Office โ Culture & Kastom โ Official overview of island traditions, taboos, and the concept of Kastom.
- Culture of Vanuatu โ Wikipedia โ A broad overview of social structures, music, and traditional beliefs.
- Land Diving (Nagol) โ Wikipedia โ Specific details on the ritual origins and taboos surrounding the yam harvest ceremony on Pentecost Island.
- John Frum Movement โ Wikipedia โ Information regarding the cargo cult beliefs found on Tanna Island.