The chiefly island of Tikopia is renowned for its rich traditional colourful authentic costumes, songs, and dances matched only by its age-old cultures and customs that inherently formed the fundamental basis for its strong system of chiefly authority and governance of its custom abiding inhabitants.

This Polynesian outlier can even be described as a land of mystic and legends evidently acclaimed by a handful of fortunate people who have had the opportunity to reach this infrequently visited island.

It is infrequently visited because of its location lying very remotely to the east at the edge of the border between Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Also, travelling to Tikopia is only by ship and it takes four to five days normally under hazardous weather most times.

Communication, however, is now possible through mobile phone network as the Solomon Telekom has not long ago erected a mobile network tower on the island.

Situated right at the hub of active cyclones, this island of Polynesian people still remained just as resilient in the face of natural calamities; in much the same way as they decisively counter the onslaught of western influences.

It is a rarity and a count of luck for anyone outside of Tikopia Island to be in an opportune moment to witness the well-guided ceremony of enthronement of a new chief ascending by inheritance to this sacred position upon the death of his father (Chief).

There are four hereditary chiefs on Tikopia namely Chief No: 1, Chief No: 2, Chief No: 3 and Chief No: 4; (Te Ariki Kafika, Te Ariki Tafua, Te Ariki Taumako, Te Ariki Fangarere) representing the four clans on the island.

They ruled with equal authority over their respective clans, however, each one has a specific role to which he is recognised for in the interplay of traditional governance on the island.

A fortnight ago during the constituency tour of the Member of Parliament for Temotu Vatud and new Minister for Women, Youth, Children and Family Affairs, Ms Freda Tuki Soriacomua, her delegation of government officials, media representatives and constituency officials have been cordially invited to attend the induction ceremony of the new No: 2 Chief of Tikopia ñ Te Ariki Tafua.

The induction ceremony of Te Ariki Tafua on 18 August 2015 marked a new twist of historical dimension which saw the new chief being inducted or is ëMoringaí (presented) in the Christian ëMaraeí.

In olden times and as in the case of the other present 3 chiefs on Tikopia, the elevation to succeed oneís chiefly father has strictly followed the ancient cultural practice where the chief is presented into the traditional ëMaraeí (the sacred field of traditional worship of the chiefs).

Te Ariki Tafua, No: 2 Chief, for his part opted to be inducted in the Christian ëMaraeí which is the church; clearly a transition harmonising evangelism with culture in a new path envisaged to further strengthened the practice of cultural enthronement ceremony as indigenous ways of life and worship continues to be influenced by the Church.

ìToday I as chief am presented or ëmorií into the Christian ëMaraeí which is the Church for my induction witnessed today and in view of such traditional ceremony it further strengthens and empowers the relationship between the church and our own indigenous cultures,î Te Ariki Tafua explained through his spokesman.

As the No: 2 Chief revealed through his spokesman: ìAccording to the cultural practices of Tikopia in ancient times during such occasion, the chief is enthroned and presented into the Marae for his public admission to receive his chiefly powers and authority to rule and govern.î

Traditionally, the chiefís presentation into the sacred field of worship is a public demonstration depicting ëpeak of hierarchyí or attainment of highest of all rights he has undertaken since becoming chief.

ìBy inducting Te Ariki Tafua in the church, thus, becoming the first chief in the history of this sacred ceremony to do so, it sets a new dimension which will enhance the moral partnership of the church leaders and our island chiefs to work together in maintaining  a troubled-free community on Tikopia,î according to the chiefís spokesman.

The whole enthronement ceremony was colourful and moving right from the beginning early in the morning around 6 am when the Fareata and Rarovi assemble at Te Ariki Tafuaís house in preparation to carry the chief for his induction service at the Saint Mary Church.

By mid-morning after the induction service the whole of Tikopia assembled at Matautu for the presentation of food gifts from the House of Te Ariki Tafua and the Tafua clan to the other three chiefs and their respective clans as well as to the other invited guests.

Food sharing is one of the main components of this kind of traditional occasion.

Normally the host of the event, as in the case of Te Ariki Tafua, prepared varieties of raw food to be presented to the other three tribes on Tikopia and other important people who attend to witness the ëMoringaí or presentation.

The occasion closes with traditional entertainment and an exhilarating performance by the Mapungamanu Cultural Group from the Tikopian settlement at Nukukaisi in Makira Province.

George Mackenzie Siapu

Government Communications Unit