Mystical Island Beat Changes Europe’s Conception of Water Music

In 1771, 50 musicians performed the first recital of Handel’s Water Music suite, on a barge stationed on the River Thames. Handel has written the music to regain the favours of King George I.

More than 230 years later, a new Water Music is enthralling Europe.

Twelve ladies from the remote, northern tropical islands of Vanuatu, wade into the sea up to their waist. Dressed in the traditional custom gear of Gaua, including arm bands and headwear made from flowers and leaves, these women are about to perform the mystical Water Music.

The women sidle into a half moon formation. Their bodies lean forward over the water waiting for the signal. The leader’s head dips in a nod. Hands are united in action. The water is beaten into a rhythmic swirl. The palm of their hands slaps each passing wave. Their hands move closer to their bodies and then away again

The percussion sound of unique Water Music fills the air. The glee of the women’s shouts punctuates the music occasionally. To sit, eyes closed and absorb the sound, it is easy to imagine yourself in a modern day concert hall. But you are sitting on one of the mystical tropical islands in the northern part of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific. You have just climbed down a narrow well worn path, through a pristine bush wilderness. Few tourists, except the occasional yachty, experience the joys of being welcomed by these friendly warm people of Gaua.

Each performance lasts for several minutes. The performers are soaked from head to toe. The crowd sits momentarily stunned before breaking into applause.

Once more Water Music is beating in Europe, but it’s not Handel’s. Europe has welcomed the women of Gaua on their first international tour. European resorts have provided chlorinated swimming pools as performance spaces, replacing the wide, warm open oceans of the Pacific. The traditional setting has been lost. The music is less explicit. Sea water and chlorinated water give different tones. Wave patterns are distorted with simulated waves. The man-made environment echoes to a different beat. For a real experience, you need to see it in Gaua. If you are looking for a true adventure travel experience, you can arrange a visit to these people through vanuatu-hotels.vu. These islolated islands of Vanuatu, in the South Pacific, will fill you with a life-time of unforgettable memories.

Gaua traditions have given these women a unique place in this modern world. But they are fully aware that the next generation needs an education, it they are to interact successfully with the 21st century. The women have no way of raising the necessary money for school fees. Their children are condemned to never fulfil their dreams of becoming a teacher, doctor, carpenter or nurse. They have no way of seeing the inside of a high-school classroom without outside assistance.

Vanuatu does not have a free education system. Limited resources are provided by the government, but everyone must pay school fees. Living in a ‘no-cash-economy’ most of the villagers find it impossible to pay the school fees.

The devastating result is:

YouMe Support Foundation, Child Trust Fund, is one of the few foundations, dedicated to giving these children a high school education. They are dedicated to having the first high achieving students from the Outer Islands of Vanuatu, in their program in January 2009. You can help make a difference in the lives of these people. You can give these kids a future through an exciting and World First Blue Moon Opportunity. Win a Resort - Blue Moon Opportunity