The New Tribe
The Internet tribe quickly attracted people. In a few months, it had 920 members from 25 countries. In September of 2006, Keene and 13 of his tribe members, aged 17 to 59, traveled to the island for the first time James stayed at home to manage the website.) When they arrived, the local tribe, along with their chief Tui Mali, were there to greet them For several weeks after the newcomers arrived, they worked with the local tribe members. They built buildings, planted crops behind the village, set up non-polluting sources of energy, such as solar power, and ate fresh fish from the ocean. As they worked together, they became friends. Eventually they became one tribe. Through the Internet, the tribe connected with almost a thousand people from all over the world On the island, it brought together groups of people from very different cultures. Keene and Tui believe the new tribal connections will help the island to develop in a positive way. They hope the island wi become more modern, without losing its traditional culture.