Abetaruvar Bungalow, Tenmaru, Malekula Visitor Ratings

Abetaruvar Bungalow is owned by Chief John Peter Arnamhabat. He's about 80 years old with many historical tales about the Big Nambas, missionaries, World War Two and independence. Near Tenmaru, the Apiyalo cave has some interesting artwork, hand stencils and engravings from many years ago. About 400 metres above Tenmaru in the cool, humid hill rainforests there are three major natsaros with lines of hundreds of stones commemorating grade-taking ceremonies in the past and other important relicts of the Big Nambas culture. One carved stone was removed in the first half of the 20th century and now resides in a museum in France.

Don't expect to see too much kastom in Tenmaru today. The church has effectively stamped out pig killing, kava, native dress, kastom dancing and tam-tams in much of northwest Malekula. These once fierce and hostile people have been subdued and much of the kastom knowledge will die out with the older generation. On the other hand, they have a miraculous story about the coming of the church.

There are plans to build a tourist bungalow at Benanalvet village just north of Tenmaru. This village is Presbyterian and more liberal.

Costs and Booking
Accommodation at Tenmaru costs 1500 Vatu per person, per night. Meals are 300 Vatu each. Beware that John Peter will charge you for anything and everything so always agree on a price for any tours or activities. Some of the tour prices are 1000 Vatu to the cave, 2000 Vatu to the natsaros above Tenmaru and 500 Vatu to the grave of the missionary Norman Wiles. All expenses are to be paid in Vatu cash. Exchange Rates.

Accommodation and Food
John Peter's bungalow is built of local materials and has four single rooms. Bring your own mosquito net. The main door is lockable (bring your own small padlock). Hurricane lamps are used for lighting.

The toilet is a simple dry-pit squat design. Bathing is in the river near the bungalow. Bring your own bath towel, soap and toilet paper.

Food at Abetaruvar is simple aelan kaekae or rice dishes. The village water supply is sourced from a clean stream in the hills and is OK to drink. Bring your own tea or coffee.

Services, Suggestions and Transport
Tenmaru has no telephone, no medical clinic and no real stores. The nearest medical dispensary is at Tontar and the hospital is at Norsup.

Tenmaru has one truck, the only one in the area. In town, the driver can be contacted on his mobile phone (44682). See our Malekula page for more information.

If you're coming from Wiawi it's a relatively straight-forward three and a half hour walk to Tenmaru. There's a spring at Vakas near the road where you can get clean drinking water.

First surveyed: December 2004 by Stephen.
Last updated: January 2005 by Stephen.