Population in Tikopia
The population of Tikopia is about 1,200, distributed among more than 20 villages mostly along the coast. The largest village is Matautu on the west coast, not to be confused with Mata-Utu, the capital of Wallis and Futuna. Historically, the tiny island has supported a high-density population of a thousand or so. Strict reproductive policy [...]
Geography of Takuu
Takuu lies about 250 km to the northeast of Kieta, capital of Bougainville. The atoll consists of about 13 islands to the east and one island to the northwest. Its position is 4°45′S 157°2′E / 4.75°S 157.033°E / -4.75; 157.033. Takuu Island is the southernmost and largest of the islands on the eastern side of [...]
Population of Takuu
The islands are inhabited by approximately 400 people of Polynesian origin. Takuu is one of the Polynesian outlier cultures which are situated outside of the Polynesian Triangle. The people of Takuu have traditionally placed great value on the retention of their indigenous practices and religious sites. To protect Takuu from outside influences, the Ariki (chief) [...]
Culture of Takuu
Since 2006 a team of filmmakers (principally Briar March and Lyn Collie) have visited the atoll twice, making a documentary that records culture and life on the atoll, and examines the possibility that the community might have to relocate to the Bougainville mainland if their physical situation worsens. The second shoot in 2008 included the [...]
Language of Takuu
The people of Takuu speak a Polynesian language. Recent classifications of the Polynesian languages place Takuu in an Ellicean branch, along with Nukuoro, Kapingamarangi, Nukuria, Nukumanu, Luangiua, and Sikaiana. Twentieth-century classifications had placed these languages in a Samoic Outlier group.
Economy of Takuu
The local economy depends on agriculture and fishing. In recent years, the cultivation of food plants has grown steadily more difficult as the fresh water table becomes contaminated by sea water. Some of the traditional taro gardens have salt water flowing into them at high tide, which kills the crop. As a result the returns [...]
Geography of Sikaiana
Sikaiana is located Latitude: 8° 25′ 0 South and Longitude: 162° 52′ 0 East. The main island, located at the easternmost corner, is called Matuavi. The three small islands in the west of the atoll are Tehaolei, Matuiloto and Matuavi. There are also two artificial islands on the reef, Te Palena and Hakatai’atata.
History of Sikaiana
Administratively Sikaiana is an outlying region of Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. Sikaiana’s population is approximately 300 people of Polynesian descent. In 1856, when Hawai‘i was offered the sovereignty of Sikaiana, the Privy Council voted to accept the cession. King Kamehameha IV approved the action, making Hawai‘i an imperial power of sorts. But there [...]
History of Rennell
The islands are of volcanic origin with basement rocks forming between the late Cretaceous and early Eocene. Tectonic movements raised the seabed to allow coral building. The whole Rennell area is thought to have been initially deposited as coralline algal limestone and then dolotomized. This dolomitic reef complex is overlain by younger undolotomized reef limestone. [...]
Geography of Rennell
Rennell Island is the second largest upraised coral atoll in the world and is largely unmodified and also includes the largest lake in the south pacific. The island is almost totally surrounded by 120–150m cliffs with the eastern end dominated by a large lake, while the western end is relatively flat from the northern to [...]
