Vanuatu Namba Grass Skirt Craft
Amara Diallo·Published
Namba: Vanuatu's Ceremonial Garment
The namba is a traditional grass skirt worn by men and women across Vanuatu's 83 islands. Made from shredded pandanus or banana fiber, it remains central to ceremonial dress in many communities.
Construction
Women prepare the fiber by stripping pandanus leaves, drying them, then shredding into thin strands. Multiple strands are twisted and attached to a waistband of woven cord.
Regional Variations
- Tanna Island — red-dyed namba with seed pod rattles
- Malekula — layered double namba for dance
- Ambrym — namba with fern-leaf decorations
Ceremony and Dance
During kastom ceremonies, namba skirts are paired with body paint, shell ornaments, and elaborate headdresses. The swishing sound of the skirt adds rhythm to traditional dances.
Preservation Efforts
Vanuatu's Cultural Centre promotes namba-making workshops. Tourism has created a market for smaller decorative versions, though full ceremonial namba remain community-owned.
