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from notes archived at Bishop Museum, Honolulu, Hawai'i |
Category: | Warfare(1) | Topic: | Strategy | Consultant: | |
The army was led to battle by the taki. Sometimes they went in three groups, one on each flank and one in the center, but this one behind the line of the first two groups. This formation was like "fishing with a net." It was an attempt to draw the enemy in and surround him. The raka, or scout, went first to spy out the enemy's force and report to the taki where the strongest men and where the best spear throwers stood. Before the battle each army conferred with its god as to the outcome of the battle, and during the fighting looked for signs from the god for direction and encouragement by his presence. These omens were usually seen in the appearance of certain birds. These were primarily the owl and the sialeva, a small spotted bird with a long tail. Either of these birds, if flying low or crying out, were supposed to be the god showing where the enemy was, and that the god was leading his people. If a man killed one of the enemy early in the battle, he would shout out "pakora" or "urafi". When the battle was brought to a close, the victors would give a long cry of "Ki.. i... i... i.. ...i". War paint was a matter of individual taste. Mena and oil or charcoal was used by some men to make them look fierce. | For an account of a specific encounter see the battle at Saukama
mena = turmeric | ||||
Category: | Warfare(2) | Topic: | War leaders | Consultant: | ||
Taki of Itu'ti'u Tepa and Pakuata are old names of Lau and the taki titles there for the whole district of Itu'ti'u. They were formerly chiefly titles of Lau. When Lau prepared for war, the people were allowed to break all the taboos, eat while standing or walking through the village, wear headbands or headdresses, etc. This was explained as a privilege allowed men who were about to die. | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(3) | Topic: | Revenge | Consultant: | ||
If a favorite boy dies, his body is carried along the road and the people look for someone to kill--'making a floor' or revenge. If anyone wants to fight over this, they fight and try to take the body home. War was brought on by "making a floor" for the dead. A 'floor' was obtained from another district usually. | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(4) | Topic: | Weapons | Consultant: | ||
A man going into battle took three weapons with him:
The shark tooth club (2) was used first in close quarters mainly to cut a man over his eyes and make the blood flow to blind his sight. Then the other club (3) was used to dispatch him. The spear (1) had a diamond shape head and was much like the dancing spear used in Samoa. | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(5) | Topic: | Weapons | Consultant: | |
Jao = spear 'Ai koaga = spear 'Ai peluga = war stick; this was a 4' long stick about the size of a heavy broom handle which was used for striking down the enemy. Haf so'o: This was a rounded stone taken from the white stone so'o on the reef. It was carried in the sulu tied up at the belt and was only used in close quarters when the assailant was sure of its effect. In beginning of the fighting they picked up any loose stones from the ground. Makta = sling. Not used in war. Loloki = bow and arrow; this is the usual bow and arrow term in Rotuma. It signifies the small weapon used in shooting fish and rats, and by small boys for shooting birds. Fankasa = large bow and arrow, described as the one used by Solomon Islanders for use in war. Said to be a Rotuman word. Varamua did not know of the chiefs' game of shooting rats from single file. Rats are not eaten as they were in Tonga. Throwing sticks were not used in war. |
so'o = (Tridacna spp., giant clam) | ||||
Category: | Warfare(6) | Topic: | Weapons | Consultant: | ||
The Rotumans used slings for throwing stones. | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(7) | Topic: | Weapons | Consultant: | ||
Sling = makta The sling was used as a very important weapon in warfare. A well rounded stone was set in a broad bend of bark or matting and the two ends were held in the hand. The sling was flung and one end slipped from the hand. Bow and arrow = loloki | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(8) | Topic: | Weapons | Consultant: | ||
The long club is somewhat similar to the Samoan one. It has a diamond shaped blade and a cross top at the throat = 'ai peluga. Some were edged with shark's teeth. Called 'ai pelugafa' pil te. This was used to chop at an enemy and then pull the rough edge through the wound as the weapon was withdrawn. | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(9) | Topic: | Bow & arrow | Consultant: | ||
The bow and arrow called loloki were used for shooting birds, rats, fish, and in games. The game of shooting rats from single file, the head one holding the bow and arrow until he missed a rat, was played by all the people, not just the chiefs. | ||||||
Category: | Warfare(10) | Topic: | War Bonnets | Consultant: | Unknown |
Mölmilo A conical shaped hat, made of two rings, one as a head band and the second halfway up, both supports to hold out the strips that led from the bottom band to the point at the top. On these strips of bamboo are tied small white feathers. Between each strip is strung yarn. Formerly there were more strips and more feathers. The head band is also decorated with loops of yarn. Within the upper ring is an I cross piece as support. This was worn in war by chiefs. The suru was worn by commoners. | miolmilo = peaked head-dress, decorated with feathers, formerly used in war and still used in war-dances. According to tradition, a man named Rafai learned to make these hats during a visit to the spirit-world. suru = peaked head-dress, decorated with feathers, similar to the miolmilo, but much broader. | ||||
Category: | Warfare (11) | Topic: | War Bonnets | Consultant: | ||
Warriors wore feathered bonnets to war. There were two types, one the conical shape = miolmilo (which Aisake says comes from Wallis Island) and one the crescent or fan shaped = suru, which is the true Rotuman headpiece. There was no difference in rank distinguished by these two war hats. Once one of these hats was donned it could never be removed while the state of war existed. A man could not even doff it to the sau. He must wear it until killed in battle. Tabu on Headdress. Because these hats were worn in war and signified fighting it was tabu for anyone in time of peace to wear any sort of headdress or head band, other than protective when fishing etc. Wearing any headcovering through a village was an insult for which a man might be killed. Tipping of hats between men is a survival of this custom. | ||||||
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