|
First Day on Pentecost |
|
Name: Andrew |
When I received my assignment to North Pentecost, I couldn’t have been happier. I was off to an island known for being rich with custom. I had no idea that I would be pulled into the customs so quickly. My first day on Pentecost will probably be the most memorable for me. Some men came to my house after only being there for a few hours and told me to come with them. They led to another house explaining along the way that I was going to kill a pig and become a Chief. I put on a red custom mat that barely covered anything on my body and was led to the nakamal. I pretty much felt naked and here I was in front of my entire village. At the nakamal, a chief began to explain to me why I was wearing this mat and what the significance of killing a pig would be. It began to dawn on me what I was actually doing and it was the coolest experience ever. I killed a pig and took the first grade in a four grade chief system. The pig killing part wasn’t pleasant, but the meaning behind it and the fact that my village was introducing me into their system of leadership and values was very impressive for me. “Tariliu” is my custom name and I hear it yelled out throughout North Pentecost as I walk around. |
| Top of Page Back to Experiences Index |