Banyan in Lomteuheakal

Fig trees

Fig trees (Ficus) have more than 850 species and are very diverse – smaller plants, shrubs, and also trees, which grow in tropics all around the world. Several kinds of fig trees belong to the largest trees in the world, such as the Millenium Tree in Maria Aurora (Philippines) which has a trunk circumference of some 32 – 45 m.

Chinese banyans

One of the most common fig trees is the Chinese banyan (Ficus macrocarpa L.f.) which grows in South-Eastern Asia, China, Australia, and many islands in Oceania.

Chinese banyan, for the most part, grows as banyan – with many trunks scattered over a large area. Nevertheless, it happens that the Chinese banyan has its own central trunk and such trees can be extremely large.

Banyans of Tanna

Some of the largest Chinese banyans (locally called nepuk) grow on Tanna – a gorgeous island in Vanuatu. Sometimes there is mentioned that these trees belong to Ficus prolixa species.

This island has preserved its own traditional way of life, which elsewhere in Oceania is remembered just in the books and tales from the 19th century. Here still are revered ancient rites, locals believe that spirits of the deceased still travel their mysterious ways, and, of course, the giant banyan trees still serve as the centers of traditional villages.

In the central part of Tanna are traditional villages where local people live as if there is no modern age – so-called kastom villages.

Banyans there sustain many kinds of life – many types of insects are associated with them, in the trees live numerous birds, and there grow many kinds of other plants, lichens, and fungi. But according to local beliefs, there are also other kinds of beings – there are tales about diverse spirits living in the trees.

Some Tanna banyans belong to the largest trees in the world. Thus, locals believe that Kaluas banyan some 6 km to the south of Lomteuheakal is the largest tree in the world. Kaluas is an amazing banyan with many trunks and it is even hard to understand where is the main trunk. The circumference of this aggregation of trunks is 170 m.

Some giant banyan trees are used for ritual purposes, with small houses built in them, e.g. in Yakel village boys after the circumcision live in a house built on the top of a giant banyan tree. At the foot of this giant people gather in the evenings, drink kava, and dance. Such a place is called nakamal or yimwayim.

Lomteuheakal banyan

Lomteuheakal is not exactly the most traditional village as it is located on a road that crosses the island and is a popular tourist route. But this place most certainly has a traditional flavor. The centerpiece of this village is a giant banyan on the road. Next to the banyan is a marketplace (former nakamal?) where locals are trading fruits and vegetables. The tree seems to be a popular gathering place.

Banyan in Lomteuheakal has a single central trunk which looks very impressive. Wondermondo has not found information about the circumference of this tree but there are multiple images with people standing next to the tree. Thus it is easy to compare the height of people with the diameter of the tree: the diameter of the tree is at least 8 m but most likely a bit more. Thus we can assume that its circumference is 26 m or more.

These are very approximate assumptions – but this is sufficient information to conclude that banyan in Lomteuheakal has one of the thickest tree trunks in the world.

References

1. Joël Bonnemaison. The Tree and the Canoe: History and Ethnogeography of Tanna. 1994.

Some images of Banyan in Lomteuheakal

• Image by Bronwen Lee, taken in October 2013, Flickr
• Image by meyerak with many happy villagers, taken in November 2006, Flickr
• Image by whitwirth images, taken in December 2012, Flickr
• Image by Helena Jinx, taken in March 2010, Flickr
• Image by Dave and Ruth Clayton, taken in June 2008, Flickr

Banyan in Lomteuheakal is included in the following lists: