Meeting hall, new construction

Every Mewun village except for Lorlow had its own meeting hall and these were very actively used; celebrations, and court sessions, as well as educational, political and club meetings were held here. When not in use, these halls were places to hang thatch to dry or to use for shelter when weaving on rainy days.

Local government and court sessions used them most often. The latter occurred frequently because the courts were used to settle everything from hurtful statements on up to assault and battery. An example of the former might be a joking or flip comment a defendant had made that hurt feelings of other people. These were often settled by exchanges of food or money.

In the early 1970's the Mewun assessor settled small cases while the more serious ones (like thefts, fights, or adultery) were left for the British District Agent Wilkins to decide. Sale (Charlie), the assessor then, is shown in 'story yarn' with Joan Larcom in another photograph.

• Summer 1981

• Larcom, Joan

• Skinner-Jones, Ann

• Wealth Indicators

• Labo (Malekula, Vanuatu)
• Melanesia
• Oceania
• Pacific Islands
• South West Bay (Malakula, Vanuatu)

• Clubhouses
• Weaving

• image

• No linguistic content; Not applicable

• Skinner-Jones, Ann

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2021-11-16