The Vanuatu Cultural Centre is proud to publish the first-ever CD of music and songs of the John Frum movement of the island of Tanna. This CD, entitled "Ol singsing blong John Frum / Les chansons de John Frum / Songs of John Frum" features songs recorded live at Lamakara village in east Tanna, a stronghold of the John Frum movement, in 2003 and 2005. Chief Isaac Waan, the leader of the John Frum movement, gave permission for this CD to be published, and a part of the proceeds of sales will be given back to the movement to assist in celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary in 2007. The CD was launched in the presence of Port Vila-based members of the movement at the National Museum on the 7th of April.
The people of the John Frum movement on the island of Tanna meet every Friday evening and play their unique music. Music groups from all over the island arrive at Lamakara with their guitars and their self-made percussion instruments. One group after the other has its turn in singing the songs, starting with the two new songs each group especially prepares for the Friday meetings. The singing starts when the sun goes down and ends in the morning when the first sun beams appear. Women in grass skirt and with their babies in the arms dance in the typical Tanna skipping style. From time to time, the nearby volcano Yasur adds its deep rumbling sound to the John Frum live-music.
The lyrics of the songs praise the spirit John and refer to the wonderful time to come. The guitars accompany the songs with only a small variation of cords and the percussionist follows the rhythm of the song. These peaceful Friday nights at Lamakara harmoniously bring together the values of traditional night singing and dancing with foreign music which has its origin in American popular tunes around the WWII.
