Thursday, April 12, 2012

History of Mangaia

       
The Mangaians have an unusual legend of their early history. Most Polynesian islands have some sort of legend about a great ancestor arriving on a fantastic canoe, but not the Mangaians. Nobody sailed from anywhere to become Mangaia's first settler. Rangi, Mokoiro and Akatauira, the three sons of the god Rongo, father of Mangaia, simply lifted the island up from the deep, becoming its first settlers and the ancestors of the Nga Ariki tribe.
The traditional name of the island was A'u A'u (literally 'terraced' - named for the 'steps' of the makatea), short for A'u A'u Nui o Rongo ki te Ao Marama (Big Terraced Land of Rongo in the World of Daylight).
The island's current name is comparatively new; it is short for a name bestowed by Tamaeu, an Aitutakian who arrived on Mangaia in 1775. Mangaia means 'Peace' or 'Temporal Power' - the name relates to 42 battles between the island's various groups and the peace that was finally established when one leader eventually achieved mangaia (power) over the whole island.

          Pacific Island New Zealanders
In 1900 the Cook Islands and Niue were annexed by Britain and their inhabitants became British subjects. The following year the islands became New Zealand territory. Though both territories later gained a measure of independence, Cook Islanders and Niueans still enjoy the rights of New Zealand citizens. In a ceremony at Mangaia in the Cook Islands in October 1900, Lord Ranfurly, the governor of New Zealand, read the proclamation of annexation and the Union Jack was raised.

         Traditions and place names from Polynesia

Some name clusters have been translocated without corresponding legends or traditions. For instance, Rarotonga’s Atiu island and Ahuahu (an early name for Mangaia) are repeated in New Zealand’s Atiu and Ahuahu in the Mercury Islands group. 











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Historical photos of Mangaia Island




Loading of canoes, Mangaia, Cook Islands

Ref: 1/2-144855-F
Loading canoes at Mangaia, Cook Islands. Date and photographer unknown.
Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Loading of canoes, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Ref: 1/2-144855-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand.http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23120328




Artifacts from Mangaia, Cook Islands

Ref: PA1-o-1239-068
Artifacts, including stone adzes and a peace drum, from the island of Mangaia, Cook Islands, taken, probably in the 1900s, by an unknown photographer. A Maori carving may be seen in the centre foreground.
Inscriptions: Inscribed - Album page - beneath image: Axes and peace drum of Mangaia.
Physical Description: Gelatin silver print 14.7 x 20.4 mounted on album page
Use/Reproduction: []
Access restrictions: Not restricted
Artifacts from Mangaia, Cook Islands. Craig, Elsdon Walter Grant, 1917-1980 :Photographs. Ref: PA1-o-1239-068. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23046565


Cook Islanders from Mangaia Island, Cook Islands
Ref: PAColl-8066-08-12-2
Cook Islanders from Mangaia Island, circa 190-s. Photograph taken in the Cook Islands by an unidentified photographer.
Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).
Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 8.6 x 13.7 cm (Postcard)
Access restrictions: Not restricted
Cook Islanders from Mangaia Island, Cook Islands. Craig, Elsdon Walter Grant, 1917-1980 :Photographs. Ref: PAColl-8066-08-12-2. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23018074




Richard John Seddon with King John and Queen, Mangaia, Cook Islands.

Ref: 1/2-C-16083-F
Prime Minister Richard John Seddon with the King John and Queen, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Taken by Frederick Sears in 1900.
Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s).
Sears, Frederick W, fl 1890s-1900s. Richard John Seddon with King John and Queen, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Ref: 1/2-C-16083-F. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22877794





Group from the Island of Mangaia, Cook Islands, in traditional dress, with gods Vari and Tane Kiao, Cook Islands.

Group from the Island of Mangaia, Cook Islands, in traditional dress, with gods Vari (largest figure), and Tane Kiao (unidentified). Photograph taken in the Cook Islands between 1900 and the 1940s by an unidentified photographer.
Inscriptions: Inscribed - Album page - beneath image: Mangaians in ancient dress with old-time gods Vari, the largest figure, and Tane Kiao.
Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s).
Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 15 x 19.7 cm, on album page.
Group from the Island of Mangaia, Cook Islands, in traditional dress, with gods Vari and Tane Kiao, Cook Islands. AFCM :Six albums containing newspaper and magazine clippings, and some original photographs. Ref: PA1-f-126-06-1. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/23064128







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