First published: 06/06/14.

John Booth

Chief Roi Mata's Domain

Chief Roi Mata's Domain (Inscribed)

Chief Roi Mata's Domain by john booth

I arranged a half day trip fro Port Vila through Island Holiday Tours to Chief Roimata's Domain at short notice. For 10,000 vatu I was taken by private bus to Mangaliliu village and from there along a rough track to Roimata's former village of Mangaas. Here I met my guide, who showed me some sacred stones and drums dating back to Roimata's time.

From Mangaas I was taken by boat to Lelepa Island and made the steep climb up to the entrance of Fels Cave. There was evidence of fairly recent rock falls but the guide and I entered and with the aid of a torch he showed me a number of ancient rock drawings of fauna, flora and village scenes.

Roimata's grave area on Artok (Hat) Island is tapu and only accessible by local villagers on special occasions.

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