John Frum Festival

Detail

The annual John Frum Day celebration takes place on February 15th in the village of Lamakara on Tanna Island. The ceremony involves a group of men who paint "U.S.A." on their chests and engage in a performance that blends a military drill with kastom dances, using wooden guns. As part of the ritual, they raise the American flag, construct makeshift elements like a landing strip and WWII airplanes out of grass, all driven by the expectation of John Frum's return with "cargo" (material wealth).

Location

Tanna Island 

Fun Facts

Here are some fun and fascinating facts about the John Frum Day Celebration:

• John Frum Day is celebrated every year on February 15th in Lamakara Village on Tanna Island
• Participants paint “U.S.A.” on their chests as part of the traditional ceremony
• The performance combines military-style drills with traditional kastom dances
• Wooden guns are used to symbolize historical influences from World War II
• Community members build grass models of airplanes and landing strips for the celebration
• The American flag is raised during the ceremony as part of the ritual
• The event is inspired by beliefs surrounding John Frum and the arrival of “cargo” blessings
• It is one of Vanuatu’s most unique and culturally significant celebrations