Vanuatu Sand Drawings

　　The ephemeral quality of sand drawing makes it a particularly fragile cultural form. Exposed to the wind, the drawings seldom remain intact for long periods. The most common designs have been widely diffused on stamps, bank notes and promotional material as attractive symbols of Vanuatu identity. However, the drawings are often showcased as a form of decorative folklore for the tourist industry and other commercial purposes. If left unchecked, this tendency to appreciate sand drawings on a purely aesthetical level may result in the loss of the tradition's deeper symbolic significance and original social function.

　　The transmission of the skills of expert sand drawers will be encouraged through public events such as performances and exhibitions. Sand drawings, particularly those that relate to specific fields of learning such as history or geography, will be studied in standard school curricula and integrated into visual and performing arts courses. The action plan also calls for the establishment of regulations concerning the commercial use of sand drawings.