Cultural traditions and customs are orally passed down from generation to generation, in the far northern isolated tropical islands of Vanuatu.

On the island of Ambrym there is a large rock known by the locals as Pouviaserole, the guardian of the sacred bay olal.

The monster, or Guardian, appeared as something between a wild boar and a savage dog with a large horn in the middle of its head. It was a huge marine beast according to tradition.

Children from the nearby villages would come to the beach to swim and enjoy the tepid tropical waters, unaware that Pouviaserole had transformed itself into an innocent looking log on the beach.


For some of the children would throw the log, the monster into the water. Gales of laughter would fill the air as they watched drift onto the beach once more.

Transforming itself back into the monster it really was, Pouviaserole would pounce and consume the petrified children.

Undetected the beast would slink back into its underwater lair. Its belly filled with children, it would be many months before it would once again repeat the deception.

The Chieftan of the local Village finally declared the beach taboo making that off limits to the children.

When the children no longer visited the beach, Pouviaserole decided to pay the village a visit. At the thought of the coming feast, it licked its lips as it slithered along the ground.

When the strongest and most handsome child ran to where the log lay silently on the footpath, Pouviaserole quickly snatched up the unsuspecting child and gobbled him down. Unfortunately he was the son of the chief.

The guardian of the sacred bay had enraged the grieving Chief. He ordered the men of the village to hide in the bush surrounding the beach.

Still on the hunt for food, the monster went searching for more children.

It had only slithered a small way out of the water when the revenging hunters were upon it. In spite of the enormous size of the beast the men of the village rushed forward. The first spear pierced the monster’s eye. Another hit it in the stomach.

The beast suffered grievous wounds, but was determined not to breathe it’s last on a beach in front of the assailants. It turned and headed for the safety of its lair.

In an effort, a valiant warrior threw his spear. It embedded itself in the nape of the monster’s neck.

Blood from Pourviaserole stained the sacred water a violate red. The warrior’s spears rained down on the monster. Defiantly it transformed into a rock. The battle lost, immortality came to Pouviaserole.

In the bay of Olal, the carnivorous rock can still be seen by visitors to this 'Must See' popular adventure travel destination.

Vanuatu, a country rich in oral tradition, is sharing its tales in the illustrated anthology called Nabanga. Just as it recently released come of its sacred art in an Australian exhibition. Art that was seen for the first time outside Vanuatu.

While we may read these anthology tales with some amusement, there is an underlying tragedy in this beautiful tropical island archipelago of the Happiest Country on Earth.

Many Children of the beautiful Vanuatu fail out on a formal education. Free education is not available and therefore being educated is beyond the realm of most of the isolated villagers in their cashless economy. Many live on under $1 per day.

The horrific cause and effect for these children means...

· only 55.8% of Vanuatu kids will get to grade 6
· of those only 18.2% will go to high school
· 26% will never go to school at all.


In late 2007 the Vanuatu government admitted that it did not have the resources or the finances to provide education beyond the main islands. Education was not seen as a priority.

You can be part of an exciting Blue Moon Opportunity. You can make a real difference and assist children who not only appreciate their own rich cultural heritage, but are hungry to embrace the benefits of the 21st Century. Help these Children who will never see the inside of a high school classroom without outside assistance.