Mangaia
Mangaia (traditionally known as Auau Enua, which means terraced) is the most southerly of the Cook Islands and the second largest, after Rarotonga.
Geologists estimate the island is at least 18 million years old, making it the oldest island in the Pacific. It rises 15,600 feet (4750 m) above the ocean floor. It has a central volcanic plateau and, like many of the southern islands in the Cooks, it is surrounded by a high ring of cliffs of fossilised coral, called the makatea, in this case 200 feet (60 m) high.
The capital of Mangaia is the village of Oneroa, in the west. There are two more villages, Tamarua (south) and Ivirua (east/northeast). Historically, there have been five districts (including the present villages). Clockwise, starting in the north, they are Tavaenga, Karanga, Ivirua, Tamarua, Veitatei, and Keia.
Mangaia is renowned for its shell neckbands or "eis". These are made from the shells of the tiny yellow snail, the pupu, which emerges only after rain. Gathering, piercing and stringing is a very time consuming business. The women of the island often give the highly prized strands away as gifts of friendship to visitors from other islands in the Group. Mangaia is also renowned for its coconuts. The people of the island have long considered them a staple plant of survival. They remain an important crop even today. Coconuts provide food, coconut milk, and also fiber- all in one shell.
History
Before missionary settlement Mangaia was ruled by fierce warriors, in a constant struggle for land and crops.
The first recorded European to arrive to Mangaia was Captain Cook in 1777.
Long ago, during a trip to London, Numangatini, the "king" of Mangaia received from Queen Victoria herself a Union Jack. The flag is still preciously kept at Oneroa.
Geologists estimate the island is at least 18 million years old, making it the oldest island in the Pacific. It rises 15,600 feet (4750 m) above the ocean floor. It has a central volcanic plateau and, like many of the southern islands in the Cooks, it is surrounded by a high ring of cliffs of fossilised coral, called the makatea, in this case 200 feet (60 m) high.
The capital of Mangaia is the village of Oneroa, in the west. There are two more villages, Tamarua (south) and Ivirua (east/northeast). Historically, there have been five districts (including the present villages). Clockwise, starting in the north, they are Tavaenga, Karanga, Ivirua, Tamarua, Veitatei, and Keia.
Mangaia is renowned for its shell neckbands or "eis". These are made from the shells of the tiny yellow snail, the pupu, which emerges only after rain. Gathering, piercing and stringing is a very time consuming business. The women of the island often give the highly prized strands away as gifts of friendship to visitors from other islands in the Group. Mangaia is also renowned for its coconuts. The people of the island have long considered them a staple plant of survival. They remain an important crop even today. Coconuts provide food, coconut milk, and also fiber- all in one shell.
History
Before missionary settlement Mangaia was ruled by fierce warriors, in a constant struggle for land and crops.
The first recorded European to arrive to Mangaia was Captain Cook in 1777.
Long ago, during a trip to London, Numangatini, the "king" of Mangaia received from Queen Victoria herself a Union Jack. The flag is still preciously kept at Oneroa.