18/11/2023
STORY TIME
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The origin of the name "2 Waves" stems from a captivating tale on the island of Tanna, where two boys became intertwined in a remarkable transformation into crashing waves moving in opposite directions. These waves hold deep significance as a totem for Tan Namatautu Tribe on Tanna Island, Vanuatu.
Legend has it that in ancient times, coconuts were absent throughout Vanuatu, except for the island of Tanna. A story unfolds where a snake developed affection for a human, so it assumed human form to pursue a young woman in the village. Each day, the snake-turned-human would visit the girl, but only during the night would he depart. The villagers grew curious about his nocturnal departures and decided to follow him one evening. To their astonishment, they witnessed him entering a cave and transforming back into a snake. Seizing the opportunity, they attacked and killed him.
The heartbroken girl discovered the truth and was inconsolable. However, the snake had instructed her to bury his head and diligently water it. Several years passed, and the lady gave birth to twin sons. Remarkably, the buried head sprouted into a coconut tree with a unique pond. The snake had advised the boys to build a fence around it and protect the pond that had formed. One day, their mother ventured to the sea for fishing but warned her sons not to bring other children from the village to the sacred pond. However, the boys disregarded her instructions, and in a fit of anger, the mother destroyed the fence, causing the water to flow in two directions. The boys, filled with sorrow, followed the streams, desperately trying to reunite the divided waters. This event marked the spreading of the coconut trees, and thus, the name "2 Waves" was born.
The story encapsulates the intertwined nature of the two boys and their eternal connection to the waves. It symbolizes the rich heritage and the tale behind the remarkable presence of coconuts on the island of Tanna, Vanuatu.