Tribe who worshipped Prince Philip honour King Charles as 'son of …
A remote tribe who worshiped Prince Philip are expected to show their dedication to King Charles on his Coronation. The tribespeople of Vanuatu, a nation made up of about 80 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, adored the late Duke of Edinburgh and saw him as a god-like spiritual figure - and may now worship King Charles as the son of their 'god'. According to ancient tales, the son of the mountain spirit travelled overseas to a distant land before marrying a powerful woman and returning home.
The Kastom people around the villages of Yaohnanen and Yakel, on Tanna, Vanuatu, believe Prince Philip is the son referred to in this legend - with this theory strengthening after he visited the remote island in 1974.
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Tribesmen holding portraits of Britain's Prince Philip in Yakel, a remote Pacific village in Vanuatu (AFP via Getty Images)
According to Kirk Huffman, research associate at the Australian Museum and honorary curator of the National Museum at the nation's Vanuatu Cultural Centre, the tribespeople likely switched their focus to King Charles following the death of his father, Prince Philip, and mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Mr Huffman said: "The movement has nothing to do with 'worshipping a white man', as they believe that the Duke of Edinburgh was originally from their island (not from anywhere in Europe or other 'remote areas' like that). "Interest there may now eventually focus on King Charles (as the son of their god/spirit/guardian/power).
"They have a lot of respect for the Queen, but as there is no tradition of Kings or Queens in their ancient and still vibrant culture, their idea of what a Queen is or does may be slightly different from what we think she did." When King Charles visited Vanuatu in 2018, he was made 'High Chief' and took a sip from a cup of 'special kava' which was said to be reserved for special occasions, only last consumed when the late Duke of Edinburgh visited 44 years previously.
King Charles with Chief Sine Mao Tirsupe, President of the Malvatumauri National Council of Chiefs (PA)
He said his title was a "very great honour". Despite worshipping the male royals rather than females, the tribespeople still showed their respect for the late Queen by celebrating her Platinum Jubilee with an ancient dance ritual - and it is thought they may celebrate the King's Coronation in a similar way.
Mr Huffman added: "There was some sort of ritual recognition of the Jubilee up in the interior of southwestern Tanna, which was combined with the now regular annual ritual recognition events that the followers of the Prince Philip Movement have every year around the time of the late Prince Philip's birthday on June 10. "I would imagine that there was a display, on the edge of the dancing grounds of one or both of the two main villages in which there are a number of followers of the Prince Philip Movement." When it comes to royal celebrations, Mr Huffman explained how the tribe decorate their dancing grounds with photographs of the royal couple alongside any mementoes they have been gifted over the years.
"Objects that will probably be displayed will include signed copies of photos of Prince Philip, plus letters from him, and photos of him and the Queen. "There could be photos taken in Windsor Castle of five men from a version of the Movement who visited Prince Philip there in 2007: the other village may display the half coconut shell drinking cup that King Charles drunk kava (a ceremonial drink made from the roots of the kava plant) from in Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, during his short visit there a few years ago. "There will also surely be some ritual dances of traditional cultural significance.
Don't let the English word 'dance' fool you. These are not barn dances, or hip-hop etc dances just for entertainment in the European sense. "These are from an ancient dance/ritual tradition where the movements - and words - have great significance at many levels.
No hand-held musical instruments are used in them - it is just voice, movement, the rhythmic clapping of hands, and the rhythmic hitting of the black volcanic earth with the soles of the feet (effectively using the earth as a drum). "It is absolutely stunning and magical and it is a dance style that comes from the depths of time." Do you have a story to share?
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