Every stage of an individual's life was celebrated, and the occasions of birth, initiation, the achievement of positions of status, marriage and death are still major events in a community's social life today. Creative and artistic expression was most concentrated as part of the ritual cycle, and the items made to be used in these ceremonies remain some of the most visually impressive pieces of Vanuatu's artistic heritage. Songs, dances and other forms of expressive performance were also integral to the cycle of life and its accompanying ritual observances.
Pigs are a measure of wealth throughout most of the islands and are a part of many ceremonies.
The most prized pig is the male with curled tusks. The upper canines are removed allowing the tusk to grow into a curl, a process taking up to 14 years. Pigs are used to pay for grade taking rights, penalty payment for breaking tabu, for trade and as gifts for marriage, death, circumcisions, initiations, etc. Ultimately the pigs are ritually killed by high ranking men and the curled tusk is worn by these men as a status symbol. Ni-Vanuatu people can trace their lineage back for countless generations and indeed, chiefs can be considered as noblemen.