From The Ancient Banyan Tree: A Village Emerge - Etapu Kastom Village

During an ethnobotanical expedition across Tanna Island, Vanuatu, we were welcomed by the chief and people of Etapu Kastom Village.

At the heart of Etapu stands an ancient banyan tree, a living centre of village life, memory and welcome. From within its roots and shadow, the village emerged in single file, opening into one of the most powerful welcome dances we have ever witnessed.

This field story follows our time in Etapu through kastom dance, fire making, bush medicine, kava, family connection and the living knowledge carried by the village. It is a story of people, plants, place and cultural memory, shared with gratitude and respect.

Etapu reminded us that ethnobotany is not only the study of plants. It is the study of relationships. Plants, fire, dance, land, children, elders and ceremony all belong to the same living world.

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Etapu Kastom Village, Ethnobotany and Living Knowledge on Tanna Island

Etapu Kastom Village left a deep impression on our family and on the work of Sacred Plants Australia. The welcome from the ancient banyan tree, the strength of the village dances, the knowledge shared around fire and plants, and the kindness shown to Jaxson and Mia all became part of a larger lesson about living kastom on Tanna Island.

In Etapu, knowledge was carried through practice, relationship and trust. Plants were known by use and place. Fire was brought forward through skill and patience. Dance held memory, identity and belonging. Kava, bush medicine and village life were not separate subjects, but part of one connected cultural landscape.

We offer this account with deep gratitude to the chief of Etapu and to the whole village, who asked that their stories be carried forward with respect. May this field story help more people know Etapu as a living community of strength, generosity, cultural memory and continuing kastom.