a tannese creation legend claims that tanna was once the only land in the universe. yasur volcano, a highly active and easily accessible volcano on tanna was designated as the originator of the universe. according to the legend, in that time there were many wild animals on tanna, including lions, tigers, elephants and bison. as these were dangerous creatures, it was decided to create other lands and distribute these perils. chief mahdikdik took the soil of tanna and threw it in the directions of the compass, creating europe, asia, africa, australia and america. some of the soil was caught by the wind and scattered about creating the pacific islands.

the tannese then built large canoes and loaded the animals aboard. the various types of beast were sent to different lands. as there were too many people on tanna as well, they were sent to different parts of the earth. at this time all people were melanesian. most people went to africa, however some were caught on the reef and thrown into the sea, where the saltwater bleached them white.

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