Introduction

Nanumea is an atoll and one of a group of nine Polynesian Islands in the South Pacific.  It is the home place of the Polynesian people of Tuvalu.  As such Nanumeans may be classified as Polynesians.  The communities have distinct accents but the languages are generally interchangeable amongst the Polynesian people living on the Islands.  Samoans being amongst their closest neighbours. One of the most important cultural and historical links to Nanumean Society is that of the fighting spear or kaumaile.  It is described as originating on the Island from its early founders and used to fight off  invaders ” most notably by Lapi to defeat a giant, Tuulaapoupou.  Recent carbon dating tests have shown that the Kaumaile spear is over 800 years old.  (Chambers)

THE FAIGA MO ILOGA PROJECT

This is a collaborative project that incorporates the community of Nanumea with external communities living abroad in Auckland (New Zealand) and Funafuti.  The project aims to update an earlier manuscript, not updated since 2004, with the important origins, customs and identities of Numea.  As such an holistic document that brings together all of those involved with the formation of Nanemean culture.  Anne and Keith Chambers worked with the elders in conducting the research necessary to update the original manuscript. ” The “New Revised Draft” of the manuscript was finished on February 4th. It was given the title: Origins, Customs and Identity of Nanumea. Faka taatou, te igoa o te tuhi ko Tupuga, Faiga mo Iloga faka Nanumea”  (K. a. Chambers).

Because of many Nanumeans living and working amongst the varying attols and other Polynesian Society it was decided to place the manuscript on a website. This with the objective of linking the native people with home and the ability to retain the sense of identity, belonging and important cultural values of their Island Society.  The paper outlines how traditional values and culture of the Society have changed since the introduction of Europeans and other foreigners influencing the Nanumean people.  This change has been most pronounced over the last 150 years since first contact began.  Examples of cultural shift were cited as:

• Food – Movement away from eating the local pulaka or coconut food in favour of more European style cuisine;
• Wedding and Family traditions are changing
• The concept of earning money has become more important than earlier family traditions, hence the noted fishing canoes are hardly ever built or used any more
• Cool thatched houses are diminishing in favour of more European style houses.
• Demographics – Nanumeans are leaving the atoll and moving to places like New Zealand and Australia.  The number of Nanumeans living on Funafuti is now as large as the actual number of Nanumean residents.

Cultural Shifts within Polynesia

The situation of the Nanumeans is not unique within the Polynesian communities. Other native peoples have undergone similar transformations.  Perhaps the best example being the Maori people of New Zealand.  The incoming colonists had a profound impact on the Maoris over the last 200 years.  A treaty called the “Treaty of Waitangi” was made to try and ensure peaceful co-existance between the Maori and the colonists.  The treaty became largely ignored and resulted in land wars in 1845 and since that time the Maori suffered both loss of land and cultural identity.  Despite these setbacks the Government of New Zealand has worked with the Maori people to regain both its cultural identity and influence.  Auckland is now considered to be the biggest Polynesian City in the world. ” The Maori have also embraced modern societal structures, which is possibly why they’ve remained successful. They form a significant political power in New Zealand, have influenced school curriculum, and since 2004 have owned their own television network. There have also actively participated in the UK government structure and hold several seats in New Zealand’s parliament”  (Cristiansen)