Roy Mata

Vanuatuan chief

Also known as: Roymata

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Last updated

July 13, 2026

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Roy Mata, also known as Roymata, was a significant chief who arrived in central Vanuatu around 1200 BCE. His arrival marked the development of a highly stratified society in the region. The historical accounts of his death detail an elaborate ritual, which included the ritualistic burying alive of one man and one woman from each of the clans under his influence. This event highlights the complex social structures and customs present in Vanuatu's early history.1

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Vanuatu
History of Vanuatu
…tradition) of the great chief Roy Mata (or Roymata). His death was marked by an elaborate ritual that included the burying alive of one man and one woman from each of the clans under his influence.
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…tradition) of the great chief Roy Mata (or Roymata). His death was marked by an elaborate ritual that included the burying alive of one man and one woman from each of the clans under his influence.
Read More