Island tribe to mourn loss of god-like figure

A remote tribe in the island nation of Vanuatu who revered Prince Philip as a god-like figure will mark his death with dancing, speeches and the ceremonial drinking of the native plant kava, according to an expert on the culture.

Kirk Huffman, research associate at the Australian Museum, is considered an authority on what is known as the Prince Philip Movement – a group based in villages in the southwestern part of the island of Tanna in southern Vanuatu.

“Those in the movement have been very saddened to hear about his death,” he said.

“They held funerary speeches last weekend. There may be special dances. Dancing there is a highly respected form of saying something powerful.”

However, possibly the most important element of the funerary rituals will be evening sessions of the men of the group drinking kava – an infusion made from the root of a pepper plant.