Prince Philip Birthday
Exactly why villagers on the little South Pacific Island of Tanna worship a Greek-born British royal is a little confusing, but they believe he originated from their island, and was born from the spirit of a local volcano.
The Yasur volcano is still active and spews fire and ash on a daily basis. But legend said that a white man emerged from the volcano and traveled abroad to marry a powerful queen.
In 1974, Queen Elizabeth II and her husband stopped briefly in what was then called the New Hebrides during a voyage aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Local men, including the chief of the Yaohnanen tribe, rowed out to meet them and it seems that was when the connection with Prince Philip was made.
Chief Jack passed away three years ago and despite his disappointment that his god did not return to pay a visit, his grandson Chief Siko remained optimistic.
"He is originally from Tanna. He was born here and he is a spirit being," he told Sky News. "He is a god and when we talk about him and believe in him, it gives us life. We are sure that one day he will come back, and when he does we will organize a [traditional] Toka dance for him."
Thirty years ago there were doubters among the tribe, but Chief Jack arranged for a traditional club to be sent to Buckingham Palace as a gift.
Read more: foxnews
