Yolou was born in Lowanatom, the son of Pierre Yamak and a cousin of Willie Korisa, who later became a government minister.

A talented boxer, he was employed by boxing promoted Charlie Biddle as his assistant,[2] and married a woman from Aneityum.

[3] He joined the Francophone Union of the Communities of New Hebrides party at a young age, He lived on land of John Frum leader Niluan and eventually became the political spokesman for the John Frum movement on Tanna.

[4] However, his party boycotted the Assembly following the landslide win of the Vanua'aku Pati and Yolou did not attend its sittings.

[5] John Frum members subsequently declared the independence of a new state named Tafea on 15 February.