Mythologies of the Rotuman Tribe

The Rotumans (Rotuman: Rotuạm; Fijian: Ro) are a Polynesian ethnic group native to Rotuma, an island group forming part of Fiji. The island itself is a cultural melting pot at the crossroads of the Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian divisions of the Pacific Ocean, and due to the seafaring nature of traditional Pacific cultures, the indigenous Rotuman have adopted or share many aspects of its multifaceted culture with its Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian neighbours. According to records, Rotuma was first inhabited by people from Tahiti Nui, the Marquesas Islands and Rapa Nui. At that time, it was known as 'Siria'. Little is known about the exact years of migration from these far-flung Eastern kingdoms. The only known information was that these three kingdoms used Rotuma as a royal burial ground for their kings and queens. The indigenous peoples of Tahiti Nui and Rapa Nui knew Rotuma as Siria because it was named after the star that lies directly above the island's location. Thus, the people prayed to Tagaroa Siria, meaning 'God of Siria'. To commemorate this ancient royal burial ground, a species of seaweed was adopted as a symbol of the blood ties between Tahiti Nui and Rotuma. This species of seaweed is a delicacy in the region, but only grows in Tahiti and Rotuma. A princess from Bora Bora gave this seaweed species. By most accounts, Rotumans are closely related to their neighbours from Tahiti, Samoa and Tonga. Rotumans are generally noted as being of a light olive to medium brown complexion, with generally wavy black hair, although some individuals have naturally copper-ginger colouring to their hair. Traditionally, men kept their hair shoulder length or longer; however, post-colonial Rotumans look unfavorably on this. They are on average shorter than their Tongan or Samoan neighbours, and less prone to obesity. The appearance of some individuals more clearly indicates Tahitians (French Polynesia) heritage evidenced by darker skin and curlier hair, and some people show decidedly Native American facial characteristics, such as long, oval-shaped eyes and straight hair. Rotuman people can point to at least one white ancestor (usually from England or the United States) since European arrival. This can be attributed to the high ratio of whites to Rotumans in the early days of exposure to white people, when Rotuma became a haven to mutineers and stow-aways who appreciated the beauty of the island and found prosperity as the trading advisers to local chiefs when dealing with Occidental ships.

Rotuma (/roʊˈtuːmə/) is a self-governing heptarchy^{[citation needed]}, generally designated a dependency of Fiji. Rotuma commonly refers to the Rotuma Island, the only permanently inhabited and by far the largest of all the islands in the Rotuma Group. Officially, the Rotuma Act declares that Rotuma consists of Rotuma Island as well as its neighbouring islands, rocks, and reefs across the entire Rotuma Group. The dependency is situated around 500 km west of the French islands of Wallis and Futuna and a similar distance north of the Fijian mainland. Its capital is Ahau, a hamlet consisting of a number of colonial-era buildings. Rotuma exists as a dependency of Fiji but itself contains its own socioreligious pene-enclave^[a] known traditionally as Faguta where the chiefs (of Juju and Pepjei) and their villages adhere to the practices of worship, festival dates, and French-based writing system of the Marists, based at Sumi. The island group is home to a large and unique Polynesian indigenous ethnic group which constitutes a recognisable minority within the population of Fiji, known as "Rotumans". Its population at the 2017 census was 1,583, although many more Rotumans live on mainland Fijian islands, totaling 10,000. Rotuma was first inhabited according to record by people of Tahiti Nui, Marquesas, and Rapa Nui. At that time, it was known as Siria. Little was known about the exact years of migration from these far Eastern Kingdoms of those times. The only information known was that Rotuma was used by these three Kingdoms as the royal burial ground for the Kings and Queens of Tahiti Nui and Rapa Nui. Rotuma was known as Siria by the indigenous peoples of Tahiti Nui and Rapa Nui as it was named after the star which lies exactly above the location of the island. Thus, the people of those days prayed to a mythical figure known as Tagaroa Siria. In remembrance of this old royal burial ground, a certain species of seaweed was given as a token of blood ties to remember the old and special bonds between Tahiti Nui and Rotuma. This particular species of seaweed is a delicacy amongst the islands, but it only grows on Tahiti and Rotuma. This seaweed species was said to be given by a Princess of Bora Bora. The princess' name was Teura ("redness") of Bora Bora, who married the legendary Prince Te-Fatu of Rotuma.

Rotuman culture is a variation of Western Polynesian cultures, showing heavy influences from Tonga, Samoa, Futuna, Uvea, and more recently, from Fiji. Social life on Rotuma is based in kinship relationships and a strong emphasis on communal sharing, although this value has come under threat by an increasingly money-based economy. The Rotuman term for kinship, kainaga, in its most general sense, denotes common membership in a class. It is used to describe animal and plant species, as well as human kinship, and applies to personal kindreds that function during life-crisis ceremonies (e.g., the bride's relatives), as well as to descent-based land holding units. Kin terms are essentially of the Hawaiian type (with minimal distinctions within generations). Descent is bilineal. Infants and children are cared for by both parents, by grandparents, and by elder siblings. Children circulate freely between households in their vicinity, and are not excluded from adult-centered events. Value emphases are placed on sharing, cooperation, and respecting the autonomy of others. The vast majority of households in Rotuma maintain gardens which supply their staples (taro, yams, tapioca, breadfruit and bananas). Pineapples, papaya, mangoes, watermelon and oranges are also grown in abundance to supplement the diet. The island is exceptionally fertile and food is generally plentiful. The main implements in gardening are the bush knife, for clearing land, and the dibble stick, which is used to make holes in the earth for planting root crops. Rotation of crops is the common pattern; typically yams are planted the first season, followed by taro and then by tapioca and banana trees. Although only a few men engage in deep-sea fishing, the fringing reef that surrounds the island is widely exploited for a variety of fish, octopus, crustaceans and edible seaweed. Chicken, canned corned beef and canned mackerel supplement the daily diet, while cattle, goats and pigs are consumed on special occasions such as weddings, funerals, and welcoming ceremonies. On formal occasions titled men, and dignitaries such as ministers and priests, government officials and distinguished visitors, occupy a place of honor. They are ceremonially served kava to drink, and are served food from special baskets. In the daily routine of village life, however, they are not especially privileged. As yet no significant class distinctions based on wealth or control of resources have emerged, but investments in elaborate housing and motor vehicles by a few families have led to visible differences in standard of living. Social control is maintained by a strong socialization emphasis on social responsibility and a sensitivity to shaming. Gossip serves as a mechanism for sanctioning deviation, but the most powerful deterrent to anti-social behavior is an abiding belief in immanent justice--that ancestral spirits will punish wrongdoing. Rotumans are a gentle people; violence is extremely rare and serious crime is nearly nonexistent. Rotumans have earned a reputation for diligence, responsibility and hard work. They have achieved extraordinary success within the education system of Fiji and are considerably over-represented in professional, managerial and skilled occupations within Fiji.

THIS year’s Rotuma Day celebration is focused on promoting and reviving the Rotuma language and culture. The Fiji Rotuman Association committee member Paserio Furivai said their week-long celebration which was organised at the Churchward Chapel in Flagstaff, Suva would be full of fun with various cultural activities, poetry reciting, dance, and traditional displays. “Every 13th of May, we remember the day Rotuma was ceded to Great Britain,” Mr Furivai said. “And so every year all Rotumans celebrate and remember that. Our main celebration will be held in the coming weekend on the 17th and 18th, but we started the weeklong celebration today (yesterday). “We started with a prayer, children are taking part in storytelling, and the young people are chanting together with the elderly. We also have Rotuman traditional dance items. “Every day of the week following today (yesterday), there will be an organised program and it will culminate with a celebration on Friday where there will be men’s root crop competition — yam and dalo and women’s handicraft competition. “On Saturday, we’ll have some traditional dancing.” Mr Furivai said the celebration was held everywhere in the world where Rotumans reside. “We remember the hard work of our ancestors. We learn the skills that have been passed on to us through our farming, as well as weaving. “We’ll also emphasise our language and culture to revive it. “Rotumans are very small in number in the world; there are approximately 15,000 Rotumans and only about 5000 speak the Rotuman language. “So, it is a dying language and we have to make an effort to preserve our language and culture. “This is the main purpose of this celebration.”