To Macgregor Index

To Itu'ti'u

Category:

Island Geography(1)

Topic:

District Divisions

Consultant:

Chas. Gibson

The island of Rotuma is divided into two parts. Fa'u, the west or back end and mua, the east or front end. Itu'ti'u which included Itu'muta and Malhaha were always considered as joined against Faguta, Noa'tau and Oinafa. There was great rivalry between these two and it still exists in sports or competitions of any sort.

Category:

Island Geography(2)

Topic:

Place Names

Consultant:

Niomfaga

Tagroa
The first Tagroa, when he lived on Rotuma went fishing. At the places where he hung up his nets, after walking along the shore, the name Tagroa has been called of the land. These places he took for himself. There are two such places outside of Oinafa, one in Noa'tau and one in Itu'muta.

Category:

Island Geography(3)

Topic:

Place Names

Consultant:

Turaga

A fuag ri in Auagfavi is called vakai. Here sauhani lived, queen of Rotuma. In front of her house no one was allowed to build. Houses to the side were placed lengthwise for this reason.

Vakai means place where one can stand and look all around.

sauhani = female sau

Category:

Island Geography(4)

Topic:

Place Names

Consultant:

Penamena

Noa'tau
Henfakin gave the name Noa'tau because the warriors when they returned were tired and had won.

Noa - tired - tau.

She said you have what you wanted and call place Noat'au - tired of fighting, and have what you wanted to get.

Oinafa
After this Henfakin gave Oinafa to Tokainiua. She said, "This is not enough for you - a small piece of land, o nafa = not enough, but T. said nafa - enough and she gave it the name Onafa, now called Oinafa-- gave because of his help.

Malhaha
Titmala - titi made of all sorts of colored leaves (colored ti). Tui Rot and Tui Pep gave their two servants M & O to take to Tui Rotuma, the time when he was made king in Halafa.

They, not titi, but Seam, took it, won it and they said name of titi was to be Mala Ha'a or Malha'a - sacred colors.

Category:

Island Geography(5)

Topic:

Wells

Consultant:

Undisclosed

Pikoi - the well at Lau to give water to the chiefs. When a person is sick and longs to drink of Pikoi, we who are watching say he will die.

Vaimatiti at Husila - This well was dug for a sick person who was longing for a bath and they dug it and bathed him, and the sick person said, "It is cool to my body." So they called it the cool well.

Vaififihu - Sa'moa beyond Motusa. Spray well. This well got its name because it depends on the sea. When the tide comes in, this well is full.

Category:

Island Geography(6)

Topic:

Wells

Consultant:

Nataniela

In times gone by, wells were always dug for a specific purpose.

Vai ho - They made this well to soak their ranga. When they were preparing mena. The name of the mena is ho.

mena = turmeric

Category:

Island Geography(7)

Topic:

Wells

Consultant:

Undisclosed

When they are about to dig a well, just fill a basket with sand, take it and put it down at the spot they have marked to dig their well and those who are going to do the digging when they arrive say: "May our work be easy today."

The majau (leader) would stand on top of the basket of sand and bless their work.

Good luck, good luck and the 2nd would say, "It will come to the village. It will come to the village."

Category:

Island Geography(8)

Topic:

Springs

Consultant:

Nataniela

Vaitoka - spring. From Vaitoktoka, name of springs on beach.

Fresh at low tide. Two at Feavai, one for men and one for women.

Vailonga, Kufesi - proper names of two inland springs in Oinafa. Not called vaitoka.

Fuli'u = stand by deep sea. Spring bathing pools such as at Lopta.

Toktoka -means not always fresh.

Vai toak solo at Feavai

Vai toak 'on fa (men) - at Feavai

With the two goes a story: Two men divided to look for origin of water. Went inland, found a cave at Manuika. They crept into it and followed it to the place where it divided. Each man took a branch, one west, one east. The western one came out at Vai toak 'on fa. The eastern one found no exit. Only his hair came out and that is where Vaitoak Solo is. The one who managed to get out told his people. Under the island he said was all caves. The soil is only a layer, on top. The water of springs is from these caves.

To Macgregor Index

To Itu'ti'u