li_kao texted me this morning to remind me of the other big holiday this week.If you happen to be in Vanuatu, or even if you've just been converted to Presbetyrianism against your will, today is John Frum Day.
In 1957, a leader of the John Frum movement, Nakomaha, created the "Tanna Army", a non-violent, ritualistic organisation which organised military-style parades, their faces painted in ritual colours, and wearing white t-shirts with the letters "T-A USA" (Tanna Army USA). This parade still takes place every year on February 15.
If you didn't get candy and flowers yesterday, perhaps painting a red cross on your garage and building a mock airstrip in your backyard will attract the Valentine's cargo that the westerners have been selfishly diverting to themselves for the last 50 years.
