Antonio Avelar
2025, Vanuatu.
This project is called Risking Kastom, and it documents some of the few surviving examples of resilient Ni-Vanuatu insisting on preserving their cultural traditions and identity, even risking being excommunicated and expelled from their communities, due to the force of new incoming religions and missionaries advocating for the end of their animist traditions.
Rom Masked Men, 2025, Vanuatu.
The Rom dance is a tradition unique to the northern Ambrym village of Fanla. Created by two women to be performed as a ritual of attraction, it has since evolved to be performed only by men appointed by the village chief. Today it has few connections to its original intention, but still serves the strong purpose of keeping the villagers in touch with their kastom at risk, being performed in special occasions like funerals, weddings and circumcision ceremonies.
Uripiv Kastom, 2025, Vanuatu.
Uripiv people’s Kastom is risking extinction due to evangelisation. Its only remain are their triangular masks, made anew yearly. This is the first instance of them being documented in their home territory off the coast of Malekula. Due to new religions settling in the islands, people are being pushed away from their roots, and cultural traditions are becoming increasingly rare. The Uripiv men undertake the herculean task of carrying their Kastom into the future, even if younger generations may not be interested or taking it on.
Volcanic Gaze, 2025, Vanuatu.
The Kastom of the Imaio people carry their identity into the future. Practising it is the only way to ensure self-determination, ancestral law, land ownership, knowledge propagation, and the very understanding of one's place in the world. The Mount Yasur volcano is their home. One of the most active in the world, it took the role of their great ancestor, being since referred to in the local dialect as their grandfather.
Volcanic Kastom, 2025, Vanuatu
The Kastom of the Imaio people carry their identity into the future. Practising it is the only way to ensure self-determination, ancestral law, land ownership, knowledge propagation, and the very understanding of one's place in the world. The Mount Yasur volcano is their home. One of the most active in the world, it took the role of their great ancestor, being since referred to in the local dialect as their grandfather.