Vanuatu: Ambrym Island – Traditional Sand-Drawing
On Ambrym (and some neighboring islands), there is a tradition of elaborate sand-drawing, absolute masterpiece of tribal art drawn by hand on a flat sand surface. There are used as communication with spirits and also to express beliefs and customs. Once the surface is swept clean, a grid is laid out, and the the art is drawn is a single motion without ever disconnecting a finger from the sand. The picture has to be perfectly symmetrical, and the drawings literally come to life as they depict animals, and people, and nature, and other things. And we got to witness the entire ritual, from drumming on wooden god sculpture to performing the actual drawing ceremony – an absolutely unique experience.
