A tribe living on a remote South Pacific Island who believe Prince Philip is their god and the incarnation of a volcano spirit have offered their condolences to the Royal Family in a video message.
The Yaohnanen tribesmen and women on the Vanuatu island of Tanna are devastated with his death and have started a ritualistic mourning process that could last for weeks.
The islanders were asleep when the Duke of Edinburgh's death was announced to the world on Friday night and were up early to harvest yams the following morning.
They were not aware of the tragic news until a woman from a nearby resort told them when they returned from their work on Saturday afternoon.
The tribe's sorrow was immediately evident as women burst into tears and heartbroken men fell silent as they tried to comfort their children.
Village chief Yapa said, holding a photo showing the tribesmen meeting the late Royal: 'In 2007 we were taken digital art Translate to English England.
The connection between the people on the Island of Tanna and the English people is very strong. We are sending condolence messages to the Royal Family and the people of England.'
Mary Niere, who works as an accountant at the White Grass Ocean Resort and Spa, told Daily Mail Australia the village was mostly empty when she arrived but there was an elderly man sitting at the nakamal - where the men meet and drink kava.
Yaohnanen tribesmen on the Pacific Island of Tanna, in Vanuatu, hold a framed photo of Prince Philip following the news of his death
The Yaohnanen tribeswomen console their children after learning of the news of Prince Philip
Ikunala village Chief Yapa holds photos of himself and four other local men with Prince Philip, taken during their 2007 trip to England
Inter-island flights operate from Port Vila to Tanna daily with Air Vanuatu.
There is only one flight per day, departing in the morning, except for Thursdays and Saturdays when there are two flights daily departing early morning and early afternoon. This is where the tribe of 400 people live
'When I told him he was shocked and asked if I was telling the truth because he couldn't believe it,' she said.
'They had to send messages to the yam garden to get the people back and when the chief (Charlie) came and everyone found out.
They were very, very sad.
'The men were silent and looking down. Many of the women were very emotional and crying a lot.'
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