Vanuatu is home to more than 100 unique groups. Each group has its own languages, cultures and traditions. These people named themselves the Ni-Vanuatu. Ni-Vanuatu are Melanesian and slightly related to Papua New Guineans, Fijians and Solomon Islanders. For a living, most Ni-Vanuatu grow and produce foods. To this day, they still live in traditional thatched houses.
Yams are the Ni-Vanuatu's main source of food. They are important in their mythology. On South Pentecost Island, this myth shows the origin of yams: In the beginning, there was no food. There was an old man who stayed alone in his hut, lying down and never going out. One day, he was cutting his fingernails and toenails. He threw the pieces out the door. The nails sprouted a plant that grew out of the ground. He tried the plant and it tasted good.

Christianity is Ni-Vanuatu's main religion. Despite this, many still practice traditional native religions including cargo cults (those who believe that wealth can be obtained through religious ceremonies). Best known among these is the John Frum movement. They practice things that are considered pagan by the church. These include ritual dancing and drinking kava. Kava is a drink made from a plant that has a slightly intoxicating drug in it.
Most of the Ni-Vanuatu believe in magic. This magic can be used to harm, cause love, or even calm volcanos. When soe is sick, it is believed that a spell was cast. In this case, traditional healers are called. Modern medicine is used, but the methods of healers are always tried first.
Ni-Vanuatu families rule when it comes to personal relationships. In some communities, there is a strict rule that brothers and sisters must not come into contact with each other. Once they have reached adolescence, they are not allowed to speak to each other, or be in each other's presence. They must communicate through a young girl who acts as a go-between.
Ni-Vanuatu have maintained and promoted indigenous Vanuatu dance, music and material culture, through cultural performances at home and abroad. There have been two national arts festivals, one in Port Vila in 1979, just before their independence, and the other in Luganville in 1990. Other major festivals were the Pentecost Arts Festival held in 1983 and the Malakula Arts Festival in 1986.
Independence Day, is celebrated on July 30 and marks the day when the islands became independent from France and England.
Tanna island is is known for the three day celebration of food and dance. It is called Nekowiar. Traditional costumes are worn and faces are painted. The most famous dance is the Toka. In the Toka the men try to catch the women.
The only musical instrument I was able to find is the Tamtam. The Tamtam comes from Malakula and Ambrym. They are made from hollowed out logs. They have faced carved into them and can be made up to 6 meters high. Only the important men are allowed to play them.

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