Aspects of Fijian culture are similar to Melanesian culture to the western Pacific but have stronger connection to the older Polynesian cultures.

Donald Tuzin, 62, American anthropologist and leading authority on Melanesian culture, pulmonary hypertension.

Her topics vary from Melanesian culture to the culture of the United Kingdom.

Amazingly, despite its fabulous islandscapes and unique mélange of Gallic and Melanesian cultures, New Caledonia rarely makes it onto people's travel shortlists.

The city maintains much of New Caledonia's unique mix of French and old Melanesian culture.

But beyond the très French panache of the capital and the west coast of the main island, Grande Terre, the indigenous Melanesian culture quickly comes to the fore.

In some African and Melanesian cultures, men going completely naked except for a string tied about the waist are considered properly dressed for hunting and other traditional group activities.

The Australian described her as "a vanguard for Melanesian culture and a voice of the ni-Vanuatu, especially women".

Little is known about early Micronesian Melanesian culture mainly because they developed no writing, passing down their knowledge through words and music instead.

Among some tribes it appears to be non-existent while in others a universal, including the Sambia of New Guinea and other similar Melanesian cultures.