YJ0VK – Vanuatu – 2024

The YJ0VK team will be in Vanuatu from August 20 to 27, 2024.
Team – VK3HJ, VK3QB, VK2PN, VK5XDX.
Nearest DX Point Yj Y
YJ0VK Log Searchsearch They will operate on 40 – 10m, SSB, CW, FT8.
QSL was performed by M0OXO and OQRS.

Vanuatu: Land for prosperity

When a traveler wants to experience a truly exotic experience, he goes to Vanuatu. This small country is not far from Australia. A considerable part of the planet’s inhabitants do not even know it exists. The exceptions are the aforementioned exotic lovers and businessmen who want to reduce taxes.

Vanuatu. Author – Gerard.

Since 1980 – Vanuatu

The present-day country of Vanuatu consists of 83 islands. In 1774, British explorer James Cook arrived here and the landscape reminded him of the Hebrides Islands near Scotland. Therefore, the name New Hebrides came into being and was used until 1980.

The first humans arrived in Vanuatu more than three thousand years ago. Europeans got to know this land through the man who is known as the last great navigator. In 1606, Pedro Fernández Quiros, a Portuguese in the service of the Spanish crown, conducted a large-scale expedition. During this expedition, many islands were discovered, including Vanuatu.

During the Age of Exploration, several new continents appeared on world maps. The rulers of the European powers first sought to conquer large tracts of territory. Smaller trophies were often not on their radar – there simply were no resources or manpower to conquer islands.

The Spanish tried to establish a settlement here, but it didn’t last long. In 1768, the explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville came to the islands. He even decided to name them the Great Cyclades – in honor of the islands in the Aegean Sea. In 1774, Cook arrived in Vanuatu, and it was because of him that the Vanuatu Islands were named the New Hebrides.

The first major wave of immigration did not begin until 1825, when it was learned that there were sandalwood trees on the island. The Polynesian workers encountered opposition from the local population and soon gave up the idea of ​​making money from the sandalwood trade.

The area was devastated in the 19th century by slave traders who kidnapped locals, and it is estimated that the male population on the island dropped by half during this period.

In the same century, missionaries also arrived. A competition arose between them: Protestant and Catholic priests tried to attract pagans to their sects.

The settlers established plantations in Vanuatu. Initially, they wanted to grow cotton, but when the price of cotton plummeted, they were forced to switch to growing coffee and coconuts.

Vanuatu was favored by France and Great Britain. In 1906, the European powers agreed to jointly control the islands. At the same time, the flag of the New Hebrides appeared, representing the crossed flags of Britain and France on a blue field. The agreement was not easy: the European countries established separate administrations on the islands, and only the courts were common. At the same time, the indigenous population was not granted British or French citizenship.

This strange situation soon no longer suited the locals. In the mid-twentieth century, nationalist political parties began to emerge on the island, which peacefully gained autonomy. In 1980, the country became independent and changed its name to Vanuatu, which means “this land is eternal.” The root of this word can be found in several Austronesian languages.

Volcanoes, offshore seas and the cult of Queen Elizabeth II’s consort

Vanuatu has a population of only 272,000, but the young republic is well known to wealthy businessmen. Although the country declared full independence in 1980, the local offshore zone began operating in 1971. As local politicians point out, this has injected new impetus into economic development.

In many ways, the island nation resembles other members of the club of former colonies. The leadership is trying to shift the agrarian economy onto a modern track, but the results are not ideal. The bet on overseas revenues is partly justified: the country can afford good infrastructure. At the same time, the state’s share in the economy is 65%, which seriously hinders the development of entrepreneurship.

Agriculture accounts for another 25%. The country is severely lacking in skilled labor. However, tourism could really save the country.

Vanuatu has something to attract tourists. Extreme sports enthusiasts will love climbing Mount Yasur. This active volcano is known as the most accessible volcano in the world. To reach the top, you need to walk a few hundred meters along a gentle slope. This is a unique experience that you can’t get anywhere else in the world.

The belief systems of the Vanuatu Islands are diverse and unique. Formally, most of the population consider themselves Christians, but the locals have not abandoned the ancient beliefs of their ancestors, but have incorporated them into new spiritual practices. The local version of Christianity has its own unique features, such as the worship of spirits and animals.

Cargo cults are common in remote areas. It is believed that about 5% of the island’s population are followers of cargo cults. The cults of John Froome and Philip, Duke of Edinburgh are examples of this type of cult.

The cult of the American John Froome originated after World War I. Locals believed that the pale-faced soldier would come and bring them prosperity. It is not clear whether John Froome actually existed.

In the second half of the twentieth century, local tribes began to venerate the spouse of Queen Elizabeth II. According to their beliefs, the Son of the Mountain should cross the ocean, marry a worthy woman and return to Vanuatu. At some point, the tribal leaders realized that the legend referred to Prince Philip. After the royal couple visited Vanuatu in 1974, the belief that he was connected to the islands became even stronger. The locals saw the English nobleman and his wife in person and began to revere the Duke with a new enthusiasm. Philip himself was aware of the cult that existed around him. In the eighties, he sent his own photos to the islanders, which later became an important part of this special belief system.

Interesting facts about Vanuatu

The official languages ​​of Vanuatu are English, French and Bislama. However, locals are not always able to communicate in any of these languages ​​- Vanuatu has the highest language density in the world: a total of 113 languages ​​are spoken in this island nation.

Vanuatu does not have a standing army. In the event of an attack, the country would declare mobilization.

Tourists should not take photos of locals without permission. Some people believe that taking photos takes away people’s souls.

The tribal system is still preserved in rural areas, with tribal leaders deciding matters of daily life and locals preferring to seek help from elders rather than official institutions.

Vanuatu athletes regularly compete in the Olympics but to date they have not won a single medal.

There is an underwater post office near the country’s capital. A diver sits inside the post office to receive mail. The post office was built as a tourist attraction.

YJ0VK. Where is Vanuatu located. Map.