Regional/Cultural Day
John Frum Day
The anniversary of the John Frum movement, which is a cargo cult on the island of Tanna that believes that a mythical figure named John Frum will bring wealth and prosperity to the people. The day is celebrated with a military-style parade (the men dress in fake military uniforms and carry wooden rifles), a flag-raising ceremony, and a feast. The John Frum movement is not just a cult. It is a cultural institution, and it is a response to the colonial era (when the ni-Vanuatu were exploited by the French and British colonizers). The John Frum Day is the most unique celebration in Vanuatu, and the tradition is to watch the parade, listen to the speeches, and dance the traditional dances.
