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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:03 pm
The new logo:
<will be posting some screen caps of the preview in a little bit>
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:21 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:22 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:25 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:28 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:32 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:34 pm

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Reiki
Member
08-12-2000
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:38 pm
Here is a link to some info about Vanuatu: Vanuatu Tourism
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:38 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:42 pm

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Ketchuplover
Member
08-30-2000
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:43 pm
I can't wait for fall 
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:48 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:50 pm

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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 5:59 pm
Interesting.... (taken from the Reiki posted above - thanks Reiki! ) Today, there are four main cultural areas. In the northern areas, there are two variations of a social and political society where men and women can 'purchase' positions of status. Wealth, in the form of mats and pigs - particularly pigs with rounded tusks - is not defined so much by how much an individual owns, but by demonstrating how much he can give away. Grade taking ceremonies, where large numbers of pigs are ritually killed and gifts given to members of an extended family, are elaborate affairs. Although the status of a person may be publicly displayed with, for example, certain body decorations, and a respect for their status, there is no real authority attached. In the central areas, Polynesian type systems have predominated. Here, a hereditary chief is a powerful authority figure reigning over an entire class system, complete with nobles and commoners. In the southern islands, particularly Tanna, titles or names are bestowed on certain men, which designate them as chiefs. This status can give them rights over land and even possessions of entire social groups. Women hold a very low status whereas in places like Ambae and the Shepherds, women can achieve the rank of Chief. The situation is complicated even further by the introduction of more recent 'religions' such as the John Frumm's (cargo cult) and the Half Halfs and various men's secret societies, both on Tanna and to a lesser extent, on Santo and other islands. However, throughout all the islands one thing remains constant, life is characterised by a constant cycle of ritual events. Every aspect of a person's life is celebrated by extended families that number in the hundreds, filial relationships being remembered back in time through countless generations. Birth, circumcision and initiation, the achievement of status, marriage and death are a paramount feature of a community's social life. With so many relatives, there seems always to be a significant ritual of some sort happening, or about to happen, somewhere. With no written language, story telling, songs and dances are of paramount importance. Art, in it's many forms, from body decorations and tattoos, to elaborate masks, hats and carvings are also a vital part of ritual celebrations and the social life of the village. Similar to Australian Aboriginal stories of the dreamtime, and Maori legends of the past, ni-Vanuatu culture is also abundant in mythic legends. Natural formations, the presence and causes of volcanic eruptions and other natural disasters, are all imbibed with legends of significant cultural importance. Even today, natural events are considered not to be the result of, say, plate tectonics or a chance passing of a cyclone, but events brought about by the actions of individuals who may have offended certain spirits. In the past, such beliefs caused animosity between villages and islands, to the extent that warfare often resulted (a classic example is the eruption of Ambrym volcano in 1913).
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:02 pm
Naturally, traditional societies' economies are based on produce from the land. Staple foods are mostly root crops; yam, taro and manioc. Seasonal fruits like breadfruit are important mainstays. In most areas a portion of the jungle is simply cleared to plant crops. However in places where there is plenty of water, taro is grown in complex terraces hand built from earth and rocks. As mentioned above, pigs are a mainstay of the economy not just as food but as a form of money and prestige. Although Kava is not a food crop, it is a significant part of Vanuatu cultural society. Kava is a derivative of the pepper tree family. Traditionally it is cut and chewed into a pulp, then spat into a bowl. The mushy pulp is squeezed and the resultant liquid drunk in. On some islands, both men and women may drink kava as an evening soporific after a hard days work. On Tanna it has become more ritualised as a 'men only' pastime, so much so that women dare not pass near nakamal's (men's houses) at the time kava is being drunk, lest they accidentally see the ritual and be punished with a beating. <Pssst, check out the circumcision ceremony details....wow...>http://www.vanuatutourism.com/culture.htm
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:08 pm
Here's another good link: http://www.vanuatuparadise.com/NewFiles/anglais/menu_angl.html Tropical climate with a cooler season between May and October during which you can enjoy some lovely sunny days, and a wet season, hot and humid, from November to April, with temperatures up to 30°C, also known as the “Cyclone Season”. The temperature of the sea remains pleasant throughout, varying between 22° and 28°, so you can enjoy a swim all the year round, whatever the season.
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:13 pm
The traditional cultures are very important and still very much alive among the Melanesian people. It is not just a matter of rituals, ceremonies and traditions, it is a whole way of life which governs behaviour and provides interpretations for what occurs. Customs and traditions have been thriving for centuries and they ensure respect within the communities. Custom is involved in every single major event in village life (marriage, death, circumcision, initiation, passage rites, etc...) and ensures that law and order is maintained. Where disputes arise, these can be resolved peacefully, by exchanging foods, mats, pigs. Nevertheless, as the years go by, changes have affected cultural rites and customs. Kava drinking and the Nakamal used to be strictly for the men, whereas now, women can go along as well. This is all part of a natural progression. However, the people of Vanuatu are convinced that it is essential to preserve and perpetuate customs and traditions so that future generations may live in peace and harmony like the previous ones.
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:15 pm
Pigs are a measure of wealth throughout most of the islands and are a part of many ceremonies. The most prized pig is the male with curled tusks. The upper canines are removed allowing the tusk to grow into a curl, a process taking up to 14 years. Pigs are used to pay for grade taking rights, penalty payment for breaking tabu, for trade and as gifts for marriage, death, circumcisions, initiations, etc. Ultimately the pigs are ritually killed by high ranking men and the curled tusk is worn by these men as a status symbol.
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Rupertbear
Member
09-19-2003
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 6:16 pm
Wow, Hamsterlady! Thank you so much for all of this! You ROCK, girl!!! 
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Pamy
Member
01-02-2002
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:08 pm
HL ROCKS!!!!!!!
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Whoami
Member
08-03-2001
| Thursday, May 13, 2004 - 8:34 pm
Awesome screencaps! FWIW. I think the Vanuatu edition is officially S9. If you look at the URL for the All Stars edition, it's labeled survivor8.
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Spunky
Member
10-08-2001
| Friday, May 14, 2004 - 6:33 am
I just wonder how the producers get so lucky to be granted permission to use those islands for these games. At least if they pay the islanders a huge amount of money that could improve their living would explain it. But these people seem to me happy the way they are and would resent any foreign intrusion. Sure there must be areas where tourists come and go... but I thought Survivor had to be well away from any tourist spots...So, the jungle and secluded beaches that would clearly invade the islanders' habitat was the only choice...and yet such an easy choice? Mmmm Anyway, good for them, those islands would be a feast for our eyes...
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Texannie
Member
07-16-2001
| Friday, May 14, 2004 - 6:58 am
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanuatu
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Hamsterlady
Member
07-03-2003
| Friday, May 14, 2004 - 7:55 am
Finally, I found some info on the land diving: South Pentecost: Only in Vanuatu and only on Saturdays in April and May in the Bunlap area of South Pentecost can visitors experience the mind-boggling Pentecost Land Dives. You can read about this incredible event and even see it on video or film but nothing can match the experience of actually being there. There is no visitor accommodation in South Pentecost so one must either fly in on a day trip or, rarely, there is an opportunity to stay overnight on a charter boat in a secluded bay. As many as 25 jumps may be performed in a day from one tower and as the height of the jumps increases (up to 35 metres) so does the tempo of the traditionally dressed men and women dancing and chanting alongside. The atmosphere is electric, the experience unforgettable.

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Tabbyking
Member
03-11-2002
| Friday, May 14, 2004 - 8:04 am
okay, i think the first challenge should somehow involve circumcision and, rather than voting someone out, they should just boil up whoever gets the most votes and add a little rice and spices. let's get back to a difficult and challenging 'survivor'. 
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