World Heritage Site Involved In Guinness World Record

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) November 26, 2009 -- Once more Chief Roi Mata's domain, a World Heritage Site on a tropical island in the South Pacific, has been seen on the world stage. It is the final chapter of a story that involved 838 participants in a Guinness World Record Challenge, held in Port Vila, Vanuatu, on the 19th November. The event was hosted by You Me Support Foundation.

The story was spread-out across the 83 of the archipelago, which stretches across 1000kms. On each island the stars of the story revealed wonders that not many people know about, from giant burial stones, to a fire walking ceremony, to where giant lobsters and coconut crabs live.

In the last chapter of ‘Vanuatu Treasure’ the two central characters, Natou-Kole and Laena are seen standing alongside the treasure chest, outside Roi Mata’s cave home, on Lelepa Island, while Maui, the giant tortoise, completes a victory roll in the sky.

Chief Roi Mata was a mighty 17th century Melanesian chief and the last of Vanuatu's paramount chiefs. He was commonly known for his social reforms and resolutions to local conflict. He was the first to hold the celebrated peace feasts, where he introduced a system of totemic clans. A system that bound the people together through maternal links.
Roi Mata is even yet an inspiration and source of power for many of the Ni-Vanuatu people.

It is widely felt that the ancient cave drawing on Lelepa Island is a drawing of Roi Mata.
Custom tabu (prohibition) has remained in place for over 400 years, concerning Roi Mata’s mass burial site. It is said to contain between 25 - 50 members of his retinue, who were buried alive with him. It is understood the men were allowed to drink kava, a soporiphic local drink, but this privilege was not extended to the women.

According to custom legend, Roi Mata was the first chief to conquer the land and unite the tribes. Though he had a quiet reign, he was poisoned to death by his jealous brother.
Roi Mata’s body was delivered to the island of Artuk for burial, for the locals feared his spirit. A small community living on Artuk was forced to be relocated to the main island of Efate.

Because of the oral tradition to the culture, it is hard to find very much written about this powerful chief. No one since has dared to take the name of Roi Mata.

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Dr Wendy Stenberg-Tendys and her husband are CEO's of YouMe Support Foundation (http://youmesupport.org) provide high school education grants for children who are without hope. You can help in this really great project by taking a few minutes to check it the Tropical Island Treasure Chest at Win a Resort (http://winaresort.com) It really will change your life.
Feel free to contact Wendy on admin@youmesupport.org

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