Nanumea

Nanumea is the northwesternmost atoll in the Polynesian nation of Tuvalu,[1] a group of nine coral atolls and islands spread over about 400 miles (640 km) of Pacific Ocean just south of the equator and west of the International Date Line. Nanumea is 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) with a population of 512 people (2017 census).[2]

Nanumea
Atoll
Nanumea atoll from space
Nanumea
Location in Tuvalu
Coordinates: 05°39′55″S 176°06′45″E
CountryTuvalu
Area
 • Total3.9 km2 (1.5 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)
 • Total512
 • Density130/km2 (340/sq mi)
ISO 3166 codeTV-NMA

Geography

Located along one edge of the so-called Polynesian triangle, Nanumea lies just south of the Gilbert Islands, which are Micronesian in language and culture. Nanumea is a classic atoll, a series of low islets sitting on a coral reef shelf surrounding a lagoon. About 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long by 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide in overall size, the dry land area is about 3.9 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi).

The Nanumea Conservation Area covers about 2 square kilometres (0.77 sq mi) of the central lagoon and consists of about 10% of the reef area of the atoll, including marine habitats and 2 islets. A survey of the conservation zone was conducted in 2010.[3][4]

The largest villages are Haumaefa with 187 people (2012) and Lolua with 187 people (2012).[2] The junior school is Kaumaile Primary School. There are scattered households across the lagoon from Nanumea village at Matagi and on Motu Foliki, and on the southeastern tip of Lakena islet. The two largest islets, comprising over 90% of the dry land area of the atoll, are Nanumea and Lakena. In addition there are three much smaller islets, Motu Foliki, Lafogaki and Te Afua-a-Taepoa spread around the encircling reef flat.

The pulaka pits are located on Lakena as the Nanumeans want the main island of Nanumea to remain mosquito free. Pulaka is grown in large pits of composted soil below the water table.[5]

In March 2015 Nanumea suffered damage to houses, crops and infrastructure as the result of storm surges caused by Cyclone Pam.[6][7]

Nanumeans are Polynesians. The Nanumean dialect of the Tuvaluan language is closely related to other west Polynesian languages, including the Tongan language, Tokelauan, Samoan, and the languages of the Polynesian outliers.[8] Although the eight Tuvalu communities have distinctive accents and some distinctive vocabulary, the dialects of Tuvalu are mutually intelligible to Tuvalu speakers with the exception of the language of Nui atoll, whose inhabitants speak a dialect of the Gilbertese language (with the exception of small children, most Tuvaluans from Nui also speak Tuvaluan).[8][9] With this exception, Tuvaluan is universally understood and spoken in Tuvalu. English is also spoken, especially in Tuvalu's capital, and is one of the official languages of the central government.[8]

History
Canoe carving on Nanumea

The rich mythical history of Nanumea describes a settlement led by an explorer/adventurer and warrior from the south named Tefolaha. Some accounts say Tefolaha and his crew came from Tonga, others name Samoa, but whether these names refer to today's Tonga and Samoa is not certain. Tefolaha, traditional accounts say, found the island of Nanumea populated by two women, Pai and Vau, whom it was believed had formed it from baskets of sand. Tefolaha wagered with them for the island and eventually won it through trickery, whereupon Pai and Vau departed.[10] Tefolaha's sons and daughters are today the founding ancestors of leading families and the seven chiefly lineages of Nanumea. Today's population also traces descent from crew members who arrived with Tefolaha, and from later visitors from the far distant and more recent past. Nanumean traditions describe the islets, Motu Foliki, Lafogaki and Te Afua-a-Taepoa, as being formed when sand spilled from the baskets of two women, Pai and Vau, when they were forced off Nanumea by Tefolaha.[11]

The legendary, miraculous spear Kaumaile came with the hero Tefolaha to Nanumea. He fought with a 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) long weapon on the islands of Samoa and Tonga. As Tefolaha died, "Kaumaile" went to his heirs, then to his heirs and on and on - 23 generations. The wood from the spear was radiocarbon dated to 880 years BP or AD 1070.[12] The wood is from the species Casuarina equisetifolia.[13]

The first recorded sighting of Nanumea by Europeans was by Spanish naval officer Francisco Mourelle de la Rúa who sailed past it on 5 May 1781 with frigate La Princesa, when attempting a southern crossing of the Pacific from the Philippines to New Spain. He charted Nanumea as San Augustin.[14][15] In 1809, Captain Patterson in the brig Elizabeth sighted Nanumea while passing through the northern Tuvalu waters on a trading voyage from Port Jackson, Sydney, Australia to China.[14]

From 1879 to 1881 Alfred Restieaux was the resident trader on Nanumea.[16][17] 19th century resident Palagi traders also included: Tom Day (c.1872)[18] and Jack Buckland (c.1895). The population of Nanumea from 1860 to 1900 is estimated to be between 500[19] and 650 people.[20]

Nanumea Post Office opened around 1919.[21]

Beach of Nanumea atoll

Donald Gilbert Kennedy, the resident District Officer in the administration of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony from 1932 to 1938, describe the construction of paopao and of the variations of single-outrigger canoes that had been developed on Vaitupu and Nanumea.[22]

During World War II the American forces built Nanumea Airfield and the people moved to live on Lakena.[23] USS LST-203 was grounded on the reef at Nanumea on 2 October 1943 in order to land equipment. The rusting hull of the ship remains on the reef.[24] The 'American Passage' was blasted through the reef by a Naval Construction Battalion (Seabees), who were assisted by local divers. This passage improved access to Nanumea. B-24 Liberator aircraft of 30th Bombardment Group flew from Nanumea Airfield. After the war the airfield was dismantled and the land returned to its owners, however as the coral base was compacted to make the runway the land now provides poor ground for growing coconuts.[23]

Governance and connection to other Nanumean communities

Nanumea's local government consists of a chiefly council (Falekaupule) representing the seven chiefly lines which trace descent from the founder, Tefolaha, or from other key settlers, and an elected high chief (Pulefenua). The island also elects and sends two representatives to the Tuvalu national parliament based in the capital, Funafuti.

While Nanumea atoll remains the homeland for all Nanumeans, there are increasingly large populations of Nanumean residents in the capital, Funafuti, in New Zealand (especially Auckland and Wellington), and in Australia and other Pacific locations. These expatriate populations are well-organized, have active elected leadership councils, and keep in close touch with doings in Nanumea itself.

General election, 2019

Maatia Toafa and Satini Manuella were not returned to parliament at the 2019 general election. Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu and Timi Melei were elected to represent Nanumea.[25]

Nanumea constituency results
Party Candidate Votes %
Non-partisan Maatia Toafa 219 13.6
Non-partisan Satini Manuella 198 12.3
Non-partisan Ampelosa Manoa Tehulu 603 37.4
Non-partisan Timi Melei 327 20.3
Non-partisan Tipelu Kauani 266 16.5

Identity
Nanumea street scene (2008)

Nanumean identity and pride is demonstrated in many ways, from the distinctive intonation pattern and vocabulary of its version of Tuvaluan to celebrations including its unique Po o Tefolaha, part of a long holiday covering Christmas, New Year and some weeks beyond. These "Big Days" (Po Lahi) celebrations, marked with noon feasts in the island's community hall, the aahiga or maneapa,[26] feature a marathon round of the competitive ball game Ano, pitting the two village sides, Haumaefa and Lolua, against each other. On 8 January each year, the island's conversion to Christianity over a century ago is commemorated in the Po o Tefolaha, Tefolaha's Day. Po Lahi is celebrated in Nanumea itself and by many Nanumean communities overseas, including those in Funafuti, Fiji, Auckland, Wellington, Tarawa, Australia and other locations.

A widely recognized symbol of Nanumean identity and unity is the fighting spear, "Kaumaile."[27][28] Said to have been brought with him by the island's founder, Tefolaha, Kaumaile was used to defeat invaders to Nanumea, most notably by Lapi to defeat a giant, Tuulaapoupou.[29] Recent carbon dating tests have shown that the Kaumaile spear is over 800 years old.[30]

Prominent local people

Lady Naama Maheu Latasi (died 16 March 2012) was the first woman to be elected to the Parliament of Tuvalu, was elected from the constituency of Nanumea.[31]

Maatia Toafa (born 1 May 1954) was the Prime Minister of Tuvalu 2004–2006 and continues to represent Nanumea in the Parliament of Tuvalu. On 5 August 2013 Maatia Toafa was appointed the Minister of Finance and Economic Development in the government led by Enele Sopoaga.[32]

Willy Telavi (born 28 January 1954) was first elected to parliament in 2006 and was appointed Home Affairs Minister in the Government of Apisai Ielemia. He was re-elected in 2010 and became the Prime Minister of Tuvalu on 24 December 2010. His term of prime minister ended on 2 August 2013.[33] He resigned from Parliament in August 2014.[34][35]

Literature

Chambers, Keith S. and Anne 2001 Unity of Heart: Culture and Change in a Polynesian Atoll Society. Prospect Hts, Illinois: Waveland Press (ISBN 1-57766-166-4)

Chambers, Anne 1984 Nanumea. (No. 6 in Atoll Economy: Social Change in Kiribati and Tuvalu.) Canberra: Australian National University, Development Studies Centre (ISBN 0-86784-457-4)

Chambers, Keith S. 1984 Heirs of Tefolaha: Tradition and Social Organization in Nanumea, a Polynesian Atoll Community. PhD Dissertation, Anthropology, University of California, Berkeley (pub. by University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan)

Laracy, Hugh (editor) 1983 Tuvalu: a History. Suva: University of the South Pacific, Institute of Pacific Studies and Extension Services, and Funafuti: Ministry of Social Services. [21 chapters, maps, photos, appendices. Chapters written by Tuvaluan authors]

References
  1. "Maps of Tuvalu". Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  2. "Population of communities in Tuvalu". Thomas Brinkhoff. 2017. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  3. Sandrine Job, Dr. Daniela Ceccarelli (December 2012). "Tuvalu Marine Life Scientific Report" (PDF). an Alofa Tuvalu project with the Tuvalu Fisheries Department. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  4. Sandrine Job, Dr. Daniela Ceccarelli (December 2011). "Tuvalu Marine Life Synthesis Report" (PDF). an Alofa Tuvalu project with the Tuvalu Fisheries Department. Retrieved 3 December 2013.
  5. Taulu Isako, Hugh Laracy (ed.) (1983). "Chapter 7 – Nanumea". Tuvalu: A History. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu. pp. 55–56.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  6. "Tuvalu: Tropical Cyclone Pam Situation Report No. 2 (as of 30 March 2015)". Relief Web. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
  7. "Tuvalu situation update: Securing health from disastrous impacts of cyclone Pam in Tuvalu". Relief Web/World health Organisation – Western Pacific Region. 3 April 2015. Retrieved 8 June 2015.
  8. Besnier, Niko (2000). Tuvaluan: A Polynesian Language of the Central Pacific. London: Routledge.
  9. "Tuvaluan (Te 'gana Tūvalu)". Omniglot. Retrieved 6 November 2012.
  10. Samuels, George Siosi. "Tales From Nanumea: Pai & Vau (Animation)". The Loop. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  11. Taulu Isako, Hugh Laracy (ed.) (1983). "Chapter 7 – Nanumea". Tuvalu: A History. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu. p. 49.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  12. http://www.nanumea.net/PDF%20files%20used%20in%20NEA%20website/Kaumaile%20Radiocarbon%20Dating%20Results,%202pp%20combined.pdf
  13. http://www.spiegel.de/wissenschaft/mensch/suedsee-speer-hamburger-forscher-bestimmt-holzart-a-971945.html
  14. Keith S. Chambers & Doug Munro, The Mystery of Gran Cocal: European Discovery and Mis-Discovery in Tuvalu, 89(2) (1980) The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 167-198
  15. Laumua Kofe, Palagi and Pastors, Tuvalu: A History, Ch. 15, (USP / Tuvalu government)
  16. Resture, Alfred. "Alfred Restieaux Manuscripts – Part 2". Jane Resture. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  17. Munro, Doug (1980). "Tom De Wolf's Pacific Venture: The Life History of a Commercial Enterprise in Samoa". Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  18. Hayter, Lieut, Francis, Logbook & Journal, H.M.S. Basilisk, January 1871-1873, Pacific Manuscripts Bureau
  19. Richard Bedford, Barrie Macdonald & Doug Monro, Population Estimates for Kiribati and Tuvalu (1980) 89(1) Journal of the Polynesian Society 199
  20. W.F. Newton, The Early Population of the Ellice Islands, 76(2) (1967) The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 197-204.
  21. Premier Postal History. "Post Office List". Premier Postal Auctions. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  22. Kennedy, Donald (1931). "The Ellice Islands Canoe Journal of the Polynesian Society Memoir no. 9". Journal of the Polynesian Society: 71–100.
  23. Melei Telavi, Hugh Laracy (ed.) (1983). "Chapter 18 - War". Tuvalu: A History. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu. p. 143.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  24. Bartsch, Bill. "War Relics in Tuvalu and Kiribati" (PDF). South Pacific Bulletin (1975). Retrieved 7 April 2014.
  25. Tahana, Jamie (10 September 2019). "Tuvalu elections: large turnover for new parliament". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 10 September 2019.
  26. Lambert, Sylvester M. "Meeting house on Nanumea, Tuvalu, called the aahiga or maneapa". Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego. Retrieved 25 January 2017.
  27. Chambers, Keith S.; Chambers, Anne (2001). Unity of Heart: Culture and Change in a Polynesian Atoll Society. Prospect Hts, Illinois: Waveland Press. ISBN 1-57766-166-4.
  28. More about the Kaumaile
  29. Samuels, George Siosi. "Tales From Nanumea: The Defeat of Tulaapoupou (Animation)". The Loop. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  30. Nanumea Website
  31. "The first elected female Member of Parliament in Tuvalu, Lady Sapeta Naama Maheu Laatasi, laid to rest in Funafuti" (PDF). Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau Newsletter (TPB: 01/2012). 2 May 2012.
  32. "Enele Sopoaga Sworn-in Today as Tuvalu's New PM". Islands Business. 5 August 2013. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  33. Cooney, Campbell (4 August 2013). "Tuvalu parliament elects new prime minister". Australia News Network. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  34. "Former Tuvalu PM quits parliament". Radio New Zealand International. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
  35. "Tuvalu to hold by-election after MP resignation". Radio Australia. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 26 August 2014.
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