Cultural traditions remain as strong as ever on the island of Malekula. Photo: David Kirkland

Malekula is the second largest island in the Vanuatu chain and the most culturally diverse with 30 languages still spoken here.

On Malekula, traditional life has been preserved thanks to its relative lack of contact with the outside world. The island was devoid of sandalwood, a prized commodity to ruthless 19th century merchants who raped many of the other islands of this natural resource.

Slave traders who sold many ni-Vanuatu to sugar plantations in Fiji and Australia (blackbirding), also gave the island a wide berth due to its fierce warriors known for cannibalism. This meant the island's inhabitants were spared the devastating epidemics that decimated other Pacific populations.

Today more than 20,000 ni-Vanuatu live on the island and are split into two main tribes - the Big and Small Nambas, referring to the size of the leaf (namba) worn over the penis.

Many of the villages, especially those in the island's interior, only opened to tourists five to 10 years ago, making Malekula an anthropologist's dream as megalithic culture is still thriving on the island.

Travellers who want a first-hand experience of Malekula's unique customs can hook up with walking tours that visit remote locations.

Malekula has many basic guesthouses and minimal infrastructure. The focus is on the people and culture.

Once again, it's best to fly here and tourist operators based in Port Vila can take care of the details.