Well, it’s a secluded, tropical island and Prince Philip is a god there. WTF!? That’s right. Somebody cares about that old, pale guy who follows old Lizzy around. Philip is thought to be related to their primary deity, John Frum, an American fighter pilot prophesied to bring untold wealth to the tiny Micronesian island. Nobody is quite sure how John Frum became some kind of god or even if ol Frummy was a real person. It is thought to have something to do with debris from American fighter planes deposited on the island during WWII. But how did Phil get messed up in all this? Word has it that some Tanna residents once saw a pasty, white guy hanging off the arm of a powerful woman (Queen Lizzy II). And because colonial officials forced them to revere this creepy couple, the Tanna concluded that Philip must be related to John Frum.
God
Tanna itself is an island in the south of the archipelago of Vanuatu. It covers about 550 square kilometres and has about 20,000 residents. Its people lead lives without the hassles of modern technologies, some communities banning them all together. Bob Marley is a huge star there. If that old joke about Prince Philip and the blind girl doesn’t go down so well, try asking about Marley’s latest release or humming the melody from ‘Bad Cop’.
A fungus called Common Stinkhorn (scientific name, Phallus impudicus) grows in abundance across Tanna. Not only is it hilariously named, but it’s also hilariously shaped. This is the only mushroom in the world shaped like a phallus (as suggested by its Latin name) Like the phallus, Stinkhorn, despite its smell, is not poisonous and is often consumed by local people. WTF!? This blogger wishes it would grow where he lives for reasons not only humorous.
Stinkhorn. Lol.
We may laugh at the local worship of Prince Philip and John Frum but this religion has its advantages. It means the struggling backpacker could hawk gossip magazines as bibles and Norman Mailer novels as scripture when the funds dwindle. In sum, there would be no end to the chuckles as I frolic through Stinkhorn-laden groves and at least Prince Philip isn’t a vengeful god.
Tanna. I’d like to go their someday. Strange religion and stinkhorn. What more could you want?
WTF count: 2 (mild)
Tanna wants you!
For more information on this place go to:
http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/TAFEA/tanna.htm
http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/vanuatu/about_destin/tanna.asp
Images borrowed from
WTF Places: a travel blog 