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Rotu is a tribe from Survivor: Marquesas. Their tribe color is light blue.

Rotu is notable for being the first tribe in the series' history to have an extensive winning streak, performing a clean sweep throughout the first 4 episodes with their teamwork and efficiency in challenges. They worked hard at camp, putting focus on getting chores done rather than having fun. A tribe switch introduced uncertainty into the team's dynamic, though Rotu would still enter the merge with a 7-3 advantage.

Members[]

Gabriel Cade
23, Los Angeles, CA
Bartender
S4 gabriel t
John Carroll
36, Omaha, NE
Registered nurse
S4 john t
Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien
46, Burlington, VT
Real estate agent
S4 kathy t
Neleh Dennis
21, Layton, UT
Student
S4 neleh t
Paschal English
56, Thomaston, GA
Judge
S4 paschal t
Robert DeCanio
38, College Point, NY
Limousine driver
S4 robert t
Tammy Leitner
29, Mesa, AZ
Crime reporter
S4 tammy t
Zoe Zanidakis
35, Monhegan Island, ME
Fishing boat captain
S4 zoe t

 Gabriel Cade
    
S4 gabriel t
 John Carroll
    
S4 john t
 Rob Mariano
    
S4 rob t
 Robert DeCanio
    
S4 robert t
 Sean Rector
    
S4 sean t
 Tammy Leitner
    
S4 tammy t
 Vecepia Towery
    
S4 vecepia t
 Zoe Zanidakis
    
S4 zoe t

Tribe History[]

On paper, it would seem that Rotu would be the weaker of the two tribes, because they had the oldest contestant in the game and the majority of its members were over 35, as opposed to the younger, more fit members of the rival Maraamu tribe. However, the blue tribe would go on to win the first six challenges, and did not have to attend Tribal Council until Day 15. Despite this, avoiding Tribal Council had some side effects, with its members getting fed up with each other, namely Kathy Vavrick-O'Brien, who quickly became an outsider for being too pushy about work ethic. On the other hand, Paschal English established a father-children relationship with Gabriel Cade and Neleh Dennis.

After a tribe switch on Day 13, Kathy, Neleh, and Paschal were sent to the Maraamu tribe, while three Maraamu members—Rob Mariano, Sean Rector, and Vecepia Towery—became new members of Rotu. Meanwhile, an opportunistic alliance of four—John Carroll, Robert DeCanio, Tammy Leitner, and Zoe Zanidakis—emerged. The four agreed to continue diminishing the rival tribe by eliminating their new tribemates. After winning yet another Immunity Challenge, the tribe finally tasted defeat when the tiny tribe of Maraamu (who was now down to only four members, while Rotu was still complete with eight) won the next Reward Challenge, earning them the right to raid the rival tribe's camp. The raid proved fatal to Rotu, as Maraamu had stolen most of their food and supplies. This difference showed the most during the Day 14 Immunity Challenge, where the tribes had to create a distress signal. Rotu's lack of materials affected the creativeness of their signal, while the other tribe used the stolen items to full advantage. This sent Rotu to their first Tribal Council.

The Rotu Four alliance wanted to push through with their original plan of voting their new tribemates out, but they wavered when they saw Gabriel, the only original Rotu member still on the tribe that was not part of the alliance, as a threat, because he could potentially side with the new members, enforcing a tie vote. However, Gabriel had stated that he signed for the show not to win, but just for the experience. This caused his unanimous elimination.

After voting out Gabriel, John felt very good about his alliance's position in the game. The fissure between the two alliances hurt Rotu after losing its third challenge in a row in a closely fought Reward Challenge. Knowing that his scheming had put him in danger, Rob led Rotu to a comeback win, sending Maraamu back to Tribal Council one last time, bringing Rotu into the merge with a 7 to 3 member advantage over Maraamu.

On Day 19, Rotu and Maraamu were merged after a summit, forming the new Soliantu tribe. The new tribe stayed at Rotu's beach for the rest of the game.

Challenge History[]

Episode Challenge Challenge Type Sit-Out Result Eliminated
(Vote)
Finish
1 Outrigger Fire Quest Immunity None Won Tribe Immune
2 Float Your Boat Reward Robert Won Tribe Immune
Marquesan Menu Immunity None Won
3 Raft Rescue Reward Neleh, Paschal Won Tribe Immune
Coconut Maze Race Immunity John, Robert,
Tammy
Won
Tribes Switched, Day 10
4 Life's a Tapestry Immunity John, Rob,
Sean
Won Tribe Immune
5 Tiki Towers Reward Rob, Sean,
Vecepia, Zoe
Lost Gabriel
(7-1)
5th Voted Out
Day 15
Distress Signal Immunity Gabriel, John
Robert, Tammy
Lost
6 Jungle Relay Reward Sean, Tammy,
Vecepia
Lost Tribe Immune
The Maze Immunity John, Robert
Zoe
Won
Tribes Merged, Day 20

Voting History[]

Original Tribes Switched Tribes
Episode 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Voted Out Tribe
Immune
Tribe
Immune
Tribe
Immune
Tribe
Immune
S4 gabriel t
Gabriel
Tribe
Immune
Tribes
Merged
Vote 7-1
Vecepia On Maraamu Gabriel
Neleh On Maraamu
Kathy On Maraamu
Paschal On Maraamu
Sean On Maraamu Gabriel
Robert Gabriel
Tammy Gabriel
Zoe Gabriel
John Gabriel
Rob On Maraamu Gabriel
Gabriel Rob

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

  • When the tribes merged, all ten members of Soliantu had been on Rotu at some point in the game.
  • Rotu is the first tribe to be able to sit three members out for a challenge. On a similar note, it is also the first to be able to sit four members out, meaning that the four who had participated in a Reward Challenge had to sit out in the Immunity Challenge.
  • Gabriel Cade is the only member of Rotu to be voted out pre-merge.
  • Rotu became the first tribe to win six challenges in a row.
  • Rotu is the first starting tribe to secure all but one jury seats.
  • Rotu is the first tribe to not produce the winner, nor lose all its members before the Final Tribal Council.
  • Rotu is the first tribe to have all its female members reach the merge.

References[]

Survivor (U.S.) Tribes
Borneo The Australian Outback Africa Marquesas
Pagong Tagi Kucha Ogakor Boran Samburu Maraamu Rotu
Rattana Barramundi Moto Maji Soliantu
Thailand The Amazon Pearl Islands All-Stars
Chuay Gahn Sook Jai Jaburu Tambaqui Drake Morgan The Outcasts Chapera Mogo Mogo Saboga
Chuay Jai Jacaré Balboa Chaboga Mogo
Vanuatu Palau Guatemala Panama
Lopevi Yasur Koror Ulong Nakúm Yaxhá Bayoneta Casaya La Mina Viveros
Alinta Xhakúm Gitanos
Cook Islands Fiji China Micronesia
Aitutaki Manihiki Puka Puka Rarotonga Moto Ravu Fei Long Zhan Hu Airai Malakal
Aitutonga Bula Bula Hae Da Fung Dabu
Gabon Tocantins Samoa Heroes vs. Villains
Fang Kota Jalapao Timbira Foa Foa Galu Heroes Villains
Nobag Forza Aiga Yin Yang
Nicaragua Redemption Island South Pacific One World
Espada La Flor Ometepe Zapatera Savaii Upolu Manono Salani
Libertad Murlonio Te Tuna Tikiano
Philippines Caramoan Blood vs. Water Cagayan
Kalabaw Matsing Tandang Bikal Gota Galang Tadhana Aparri Luzon Solana
Dangrayne Enil Edam Kasama Solarrion
San Juan del Sur Worlds Apart Cambodia Kaôh Rōng
Coyopa Hunahpu Escameca Masaya Nagarote Bayon Ta Keo Angkor Chan Loh Gondol To Tang
Huyopa Merica Orkun Dara
Millennials vs. Gen X Game Changers Heroes vs. Healers vs. Hustlers Ghost Island
Takali Vanua Ikabula Mana Nuku Tavua Levu Soko Yawa Malolo Naviti Yanuya
Vinaka Maku Maku Solewa Lavita
David vs. Goliath Edge of Extinction Island of the Idols Winners at War
Jabeni Vuku Tiva Kama Manu Lesu Lairo Vokai Dakal Sele Yara
Kalokalo Vata Lumuwaku Koru
Survivor 41 Survivor 42 Survivor 43 Survivor 44
Luvu Ua Yase Ika Taku Vati Baka Coco Vesi Ratu Soka Tika
Viakana Kula Kula Gaia Va Va
Survivor 45 Survivor 46
Belo Lulu Reba Nami Siga Yanu
Dakuwaqa
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