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Category:

Law (1)

Topic:

Inheritance

Consultant:

Tavai

Inheritance Social Mar. Child
In the old times, a married couple lived on the lands of the man. Children had rights to land through both sides of the family. The oldest child will be in charge of all the lands and allot rights to the use of the plots.

The first child is called "man's child". The second child is called "woman's child" and so on.

Category:

Law (2)

Topic:

Violations

Consultant:

C.Jacobson

Adultery
If a man committed adultery, the woman's husband was at liberty to kill the man. "May the 'atua not make an inquiry about it" Saying, when they felt justified. Sometimes he was put off in a canoe to sea. Forbidden to land on Rotuma again.

Thieving
The culprit was taken before the chief, who would curse him in front of the people (if guilty) and then a sickness or accident would befall the thief. Then he would be taken to the chief to touch him (the chief) and confess his guilt, and he would be cured and forgiven (lit. he would be good again).

Village Tabus
All full grown men wore the 'orno'a or tapa turban or head band. It was tabu to wear this in any village and people on a trip from one district to another had to take it off while passing through each village.

It was tabu to wear anything over the head in the village.

No one was allowed to walk through the village eating. However, the young men over fourteen were allowed to break this tabu while walking about, in recognition of their position as the fighting men of the village; and the ever present demand upon them to be ready to defend the village; 'ate fu was the tabu on eating.

Although not strictly a tabu, it was forbidden to appear in the village without wearing the bark or mat belt. Anyone catching a person without his belt, could tear the man's lavalava off, and clout him. This seems to be somewhat similar to the mat or grass skirt worn over the clothes in Tonga.

Category:

Law (3)

Topic:

Fines

Consultant:

Tavo

A fine laid down by a chief was called a sir'aki.

Category:

Law (4)

Topic:

Sanctuary

Consultant:

Fred Gibson

A man could run into any house if being pursued for some misdeed, and say to the owner, "I wish to live here." He would then be saved from capture by his pursuers. The owner must offer him his protection and the house of this innocent man could not be violated.

Sapo = a word meaning to catch hold of or arrest someone who has committed some felony.

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