Head on Collision between Two Cultures When Rare Secret Art was released recently

Bethany and her friends are frequently asked to attend the opening of exhibitions at the stately building that was originally opened as a Methodist Church in the 1860s. Converted to a Masonic hall, in the 1920s, it is now the up-market Annandale Gallery, situated in a trendy inner city suburb in Sydney, Australia.

The invitation for the 22nd of July appeared exceptional from the start . Secret and sacred rare art from the small South Pacific tropical island archipelago nation of Vanuatu would be revealed for the first time outside of its native home.

At the opening, a major sacred ceremonial dance, from the remote island of Ambrym, would be performed by a group of Ni-Vanuatu artists clothed in full custom regalia.

Bethany and her two friends arranged to go to the opening, followed by dinner at one of the great restaurants on the shores of Darling Harbor. Parking the Mercedes-Benz was often a difficulty, so they chose to have one of their husbands drop them off. It all sounded quite mysterious and lots of fun.

Arriving a little later than we should have because of the Sydney traffic, we were greeted by the happy sounds of a string band playing island music as we hurried towards the entrance to the Gallery, Bethany told me It sounded as if the South Seas had come to town. Made one imagine of swaying palms and blue green tropical oceans. It was reminding me to think of taking that South Pacific cruise my husband and I have been promising ourselves she pondered.

As they stood withthe other guests sipping French champagne, Bethany and her two friends buzzed with excitement as they gazed at the rare artifacts. These included the beautifully carved timber figures and masks, plus a four meter drum (upright tam-tam). One of the worlds largest free standing musical instruments. We understood this unique art to be very old and rare, yet it could be easily mistaken for any piece of modern artwork, the curator of the Gallery David Baker said. There is only one piece parallel to it in a British museum. 

A barely clad figurestepped up to the tam-tam and began a firm methodical beat on the lip of the wooden gongs face. A stylized face that had been carefully shaped to represent an ancestor. The long slit up the front of the drum allowing the ancestor to speak once more.

Four dancers came next, clothed in what looked like a head-to-toe tent made of dried leaves, with brightly painted wooden masks, topped with rooseter feathers, covering their faces. In a slow rhythmical, yet trance like shuffle, they began making their way to the middle of the room. Their voices filled the gallery in a monotonal chant.

further five men, dressed in the full regalia of their secret society, danced in the centre of the first four dancers . Stomping their feet and clapping their hands, they raised their voices in the monotonal chant.

The faces of the matrons of Sydney women registered utter surprise. The five mature Ambrym men were dressed only with a wide bark belt slung low over their hips. A Namba penis sheath barely covering the essential part of manhood . A bright red hibiscus flower adorned one ear.

The men were unaware of the sensation they were causing. Their shiny and well formed buttocks jiggling up and down in time to the beat of the drum as they concentrated on their sacred dance.

We were told this is strictly Mens Business, as any woman witnessing the ceremony by accident, had to be killed, Bethany grinned. Just as well that doesnt apply now. Still no women are allowed to touch these dancers as they are considered taboo, Bethany laughed . It was rather difficult to know just where to look , when the dancers first came into the room. I havent seen that much bare bottom since my four children were youngsters .

It is one thing to think of these men dancing in the soft light of a tropical island forest, bare feet thumping out the ceremonial rhythm on a dirt floor, but to think of them as having just come from a modern hotel room, through the Australian winter, braving the Sydney traffic, was a mind bending experience.

With few modern communication devices , remote distances and over 153 distinct cultures and languages, in the tropical islands of Vanuatu, voted the Happiest Country on Earth in 2006, life moves at a slower pace.

Tradition and culture is handed down from Father to son through dance, songs, sand drawings and carvings. Many villagers still live as their ancestors have done for generations. The Chiefs are beginning to realize the educational needs of these remote tropical islands. Many of the younger generation have lost the ability to understand the mystic language of the carved gongs . The chiefs made the decision to reveal the secrets of their society and released some of their sacred rare art, setting the art world on its ear. The aim being to {{inspire | motivate}}} their young people and make them more aware of their ancient culture.

Few people are aware that the tiny neighbor of Australia still has such wonderful secrets tucked away in the Must See Travel Adventure destination of the south Pacific.

Like else where in the universe the children of this ancient society, have dreams. They want to reach out and take part of the benefits of modern civilization . They dream of being a teacher, pilot, or nurse. Many of their parents live on less than $1 a day and cannot read or write. With no free education, school fees are often unattainable. The results are horrific.

In 2007 the government of Vanuatu admitted they do not have the funds to meet the educational needs of the country. Education is at the bottom on their list of priorities.

YouMe Support Foundation and its Child Trust Fund fill a unique niche in these kid`s lives. Children, who without outside assistance will never see the inside of a high school classroom.

YouMe Support Foundation offers a unique once in a lifetime Blue Moon Opportunity. Not only is it a world first, it will make a very true difference in the lives of these children .You cant afford to miss this. You can make a difference in your own life, plus help some really great Kids. Kids who will reach out and embrace the head on collision of two societies.

Dr Wendy and her husband Richard are the Founders of YouMe Support Foundation, supplier of non-repayable education grants . Over the past four years they and their guests have provided desperately needed teacher's resources and school supplies to isolated communities in the far north of Vanuatu through Seachange Lodge,Seachange Lodge YouMe Support Foundation in partner ship with Win a Resort is raffling Seachange Lodge on the Internet. All funds are placed into a Trust Fund to provide education for children who will never enter the 21st century without assistance. You can assist by making a donation to the children by going to or Win a Resort.