Contents

– [i] –

	Page
Introduction	3
Acknowledgments	3
Position in Polynesia	4
Geography	5
Fakaofu	5
Nukunono	7
Atafu	7
Olosenga	7
Winds and Currents	10
Water Supply	10
Botany	11
People	12
Language	13
History	16
Legendary period	16
Historical period	19
Conquests by Fakaofu	19
Succession of island chiefs	23
Contacts with other islands	26
Western contact	28
Discovery	28
Missions	32
Present government	34
Social organization	35
Biological family	35
Birth	35
Childhood	38
Puberty	39
Circumcision	39
Courtship and marriage	40
Adult life	42
Death and burial	43
The household	44
The kindred	45
Kinship terms	45
Kindred relationships	46
Organization of Atafu kindred	47
Men's houses	48
Government	49
The high chief	50
The council	53
Judge and priests	53
Land	53
Division of atoll lands	53
Atafu village divisions	55
Laws	57

– [ii] –

Religion	59
Gods	59
Supreme deity	59
Nature gods	60
Nature spirits	61
Ancestral gods	62
Totemic gods	63
Priests	63
Election of priests	64
God houses	65
Ceremony to Tui Tokelau	66
Land of the dead	69
Sickness	69
Beliefs	69
Treatment	70
Massage	70
Cauterizing	72
Medicinal treatment	73
Dancing	73
Music	74
Instruments	74
Percussion instruments	74
Wind instruments	75
Singing	76
Tales	79
Sina myths	80
The story of Tae-a-Tangaloa	85
The story of Pupunatavai	87
Nature lore	89
Winds	90
Calendar	90
Nights in the phases of the moon	91
Material culture	92
Fishing	92
Groping and probing	93
Lures	93
Fish traps	94
Spear	94
Bow and arrow	94
Nets	95
Scoop nets	95
Dip nets	96
Seines	97
Rites	98
Noose fishing	98
Turtle fishing	99
Angling	100
One-piece hook	101
Ruvettus hook	103
Ruvettus fishing	105
Trolling hooks	105
Bonito rod	109
Tapus	109
Bonito fishing	110

– [iii] –

Canoes	112
Rites in canoe-building	113
Materials	113
Fishing canoe	114
Construction of the hull	114
Bow cover	117
Stern cover	117
Outrigger	117
Lifting pieces and seats	118
Bailer	119
Care	119
Sailing canoe	119
Double canoe	120
Mast and block	121
The sail	122
Steering oars	122
Sailing the double canoe	122
Houses	123
Types of ancient houses	123
Dwelling house	123
God house	124
Men's house	125
Cook house	125
Canoe house	125
Storage house	125
Construction	126
Framework	127
Thatching	127
Plaiting	129
Pandanus leaf plaiting	130
Preparation of materials	130
Dye	130
Plaiting accessories	131
Pandanus mats	131
Coconut leaf plaiting	135
Food dish	136
Baskets	136
Fans	137
Cordage	138
Bark fiber cord	138
Sennit cord	139
Sennit braid	139
Coils	140
Clothing	140
Malo	141
Men's kilt	141
Women's titi	142
Headbands and sandals	142
Ornamentation and tattooing	142
Food	145
The kitchen	145
Cooking utensils	145
Variety and preparation of foods	147
Meals	150
Food ceremony	151
Sacred food	151

– [iv] –

About this page...