See Fele's Cave (Fels Cave), Lelepa, Vanuatu

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On the southwest side of the island is the Fels Cave (the name Falesa refers to a cave in the Nakanamanga language, Fels or Feles is a local dialect variant). It contains numerous rock carvings that are up to 3,000 years old . Since 2008 , the cave has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of Chief Roi Mata's Domain. According to legend, the paramount chief Roi Mata died in this cave towards the end of the 16th century. From its entrance there is a direct view of Eretoka, where he was buried. In other legends, the cave was the residence of the first bearer of the title of Chief Roi Mata. Fels Cave, located 22 meters above sea level, opens to a height of 35 meters after an entrance 6 meters high. Its diameter is approximately 50 meters and the floor plan is approximately round. The surrounding rock, locally called fta , consists of volcanic breccia and pumice . It is protected from erosion by overlying limestone from the former reef that was raised above the water. Except for the back wall, which is in the dark, all the walls at head height are covered with cave paintings , and in some cases they even overlap each other. The oldest of them are red spots and handprints, probably dating back to the first millennium BC. They can be assigned to the Lapita culture . However, most of the illustrations are black line drawings. There are also some that are 1,500 years old, but most were made much later; the most recent dating points to the 18th century. The depictions show birds, fish and anthropomorphic figures. Abstract motifs are simple and complex geometric figures such as angles, triangles and diamonds. The largest human representation is traditionally identified with Roi Mata. In some places there are long rows of round depressions carved into the rock, as are also known from other parts of Oceania. Excavations have revealed no sign that the cave was ever inhabited. During earthquakes it is regularly at risk from rock falls. Most recently, part of the entrance area collapsed during a severe earthquake in 2002. For the residents of Lelepa, the cave is considered tapu . According to their idea, after a person dies, their soul goes into the rock cave. It is said that you can then find their footprints at the entrance. The tradition is still occasionally followed of sweeping this area after a death and then looking for the footsteps the next morning. Fels Cave has attracted European visitors since the 19th century. In the entrance area of the cave there are graffiti from travelers dating back to 1874. The Natapau community runs a tour company that takes day visitors to the island in canoes. The island achieved great notoriety through the opening sequence of the US reality television show Survivor, in which the contestants are welcomed on the beach at Lelepa. However, the actual jungle camp was on Efate near Mangaliliu.

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