Bunlap

Bunlap

Interview with Chief of Bunlap Kastom Village

Bunlap is the largest traditional Kastom Village on Pentecost, with an estimated population of upwards of 600 people. In this exceptionally isolated part of South East Pentecost, people live as their ancestors did for thousands of years, rejecting all western influence. We wanted to find out what life was like there after the eye of monster Cyclone Harold hit them.

Normally, you aren’t allowed to take cameras and recording equipment into Bunlap, so it was a great privilege to be granted this recorded interview.

Herein, the chief tells us that not a single house survived the cyclone. Since the local materials (bamboo and natangora) required to rebuild the houses have all been destroyed, for now, they have salvaged a nakamal, where all the men sleep, and a house, where all the women now sleep. It will take a long time for the materials to replenish, but bit by bit they will rebuild their homes. Their crops were so badly damaged that for days, they were finding the vegetables littered all over the place, even hanging from trees.

When asked if they have any friends or family abroad they wish to appeal to for help, he responds that they do not have any family based away from the village. Therefore, they are on their own, unless anyone takes it upon themselves to help them.