23 Oct 2014

Vanuatu chief gives Ambrym title back

8:37 pm on 23 October 2014

Custom chiefs on Ambrym Island in Vanuatu have taken back a paramount chiefly title they had wrongly bestowed on the chairman of the National Council of Chiefs, Chief Seni Mao Tirsupe.

Chief Tirsupe was on official duty on Ambrym when a chief honoured him with a title that can only given to a chief from that island.

Chief Tirsupe is from Santo.

In a second ceremony Chief Lui Mera Melip of Ambrym, retrieved the taboo hibiscus flower from Chief Tirsupe's hair and promised another custom ceremony would be held to give him a more appropriate title.