ATAFU

Atafu is composed of 42 islands and lies in lat. 8° 33’ 30" S and long. 172° 30’W. Atafu is the smallest atoll in the group extending three miles north and south and 2.5 miles east and west, and having a land area of 550 acres. The highest land of Atafu is 15 feet above sea level. The present population (2002 census) is 500.

Atafu was the ancient name given the atoll by its earliest inhabitants, and these people were forced to abandon the island and some were killed during the era of warring period between the Islands of Tokelau.

On June 21, 1765, Byron discovered Atafu and discovered no sign of inhabitants.

Tonuia (from Fakaofo) and his wife Lagimaina (from Nukunonu) along with their seven children established Atafu. The Fale Fitu, or Seven Houses signifies Atafu because of their ancestral origin. The Presbyterian Church is the only church in Atafu since its introduction by Faivalua in 1858.

Local government consists of the Taupulega, with the leadership of an elected Pulenuku (mayor) and Faipule (chief head of council).

The Taupulega (Council of Elders) is made up of elected chiefs from the extended families. Membership to the Taupulega is confined to the heads of kindred’s, who are the matais of mataniu’s, or land. The Taupulega directs community activities with the role of the Pulenuku as assisting to achieve the aims and goals as set out by the Taupulega and the local level.

The role of the Faipule is to act as an intermediary for the Council and people at the national level.

On Atafu, the existence of the Aumaga is an institution, which is not found on the other atolls. The Aumaga is comprised of the male population who are not involved with the Tokelau Public Service and the Taupulega. They play a distinct and important role necessary to the development of the community, by providing the manpower and labour, for carrying out important tasks for the benefit of the community. The building of the new Lotala or meeting house, the largest in Tokelau and the historical and important Lotomau (an artificial island) are some of the examples of work done by the Aumaga.

Fafine or women is another important group in the community. This group is comprised of females who meet weekly. The tasks performed by Fafine include visits around the community and family homes, checking for cleanliness and hygiene around the homes, and that there are no environmental hazards and wastes that will pose as a danger for the children and community. Older women usually meet at Lotala, or meeting house and spend time weaving and creating beautiful handicrafts.

Tokelauans are master fishermen, and on Atafu many of the traditional methods for fishing are still a common practice. Schools of fish are attracted to feed at this isolated atoll, with a variety of fish species that fill the lagoon. Fishing is the prerogative of men and their knowledge of fishing lore has been handed down through the generations. The making of lures, fish traps, nets (of different types), seines, noose fishing is still common practice. A variety of different fishing activities include turtle fishing, angling, trolling, ruvettus and other fishing game. Knowledge and speciality of techniques for other fishing practices are carried out in conjunction with the understanding and knowledge of the lunar calendar, important for understanding fish migration patterns, and favourable periods in catching certain species of fish. Most fishing techniques require skill and knowledge, and certain people are recognized for having these qualities, who the community depends on when there is a fishing expedition.

One can enjoy spear diving of the reefs, or collect calms for personal consumption.

Conservation is an important issue in Atafu, and this is recognised through the banning of certain fishing activities, in certain parts around the lagoon, and banning certain fishing practices mainly those using long nets.

Certain fish species are ika-ha, or sacred, such as the swordfish, turtle, and whale. When caught it is brought to the village pa to be distributed among the villagers, through the inati system. Inati is the equal distribution of food, mainly fish for all the families on the island.

Canoes are important not only for fishing, but also in preserving the knowledge and skills for canoe building. Although modern boats are available, the traditional canoe is still the preferred choice of raft for fishing in Atafu, due to its flexibility and maneuvering when fishing. Another important aspect in peoples preference for using the traditional canoe is because of its reliability and safety on the open ocean.

Atafu is the only island, that still builds traditional canoes, and one will discover it a common site to see many canoes on the island. Atafu has been blessed with the abundance of the Kanava tree (Cordia subcordata), the wood which is used for building the canoes, that is lacking on the other atolls. The Kanava tree is sufficiently thick, durable, water resistant and hard, and canoes built from the Kanava can last over a hundred years.

Because of the complexity in building a canoe, traditional rites in canoe building are still maintained, with the master carpenter or tohuga requested to perform the task in building the canoe. The tohuga is the master carpenter and the designer and overseer of the project.

The first establishment of the present village in Atafu by Tonuia was at the southern end of the Islet. Houses were erected along the lagoon shore to receive the cooling trade winds. Asaga, and Afeke were two sub-divisions of land that made up the village, with Afeke being the northern district. The village has extended towards the north, an area known as Lomaloma.

Today, village activities such as sport, revolve around these village divisions.

Atafu has an office, a cooperative store, a school(Matauala) and a hospital (Lomaloma).

Those serving the Tokelau Public Service (TPS), and telecommunications department occupy the office. Within the same building is the store, which provides imported goods, ranging from consumable goods to non-perishable products.

The local hospital, Lomaloma is a name adopted from a town in Fiji by Logologo, the first Tokelauan and Pacific island medical practitioner graduate, from the Fiji school of medicine.

A large modern meeting house Lotala, was built and completed in 1994, and is used for social gatherings and meetings. Lotala includes the offices for the Faipule and Pulenuke, secretary for the Taupulega and the law commissioner.

Traditionally Atafu had a fale-pa, a house where men got together and socialized. Today, men enjoy relaxing under the large lalo-pua tree, where one can enjoy practicing carving, and playing chess as a past time. It provides a means for socializing after all the hard work is completed for the day.

Statutory Holiday observance is based on New Zealand holidays, with the exception of the Aho o Fafine (women’s day) and Aho o Aumaga (men’s day). These two separate holidays celebrates the social importance of women, and the Aumaga men in a socially coherent structured system. The holiday is celebrated through feasting, games and dancing.

Although the soil on Atafu is not productive in growing a variety of foods and plants, sufficient and healthy foods are grown for providing essential nutrients and minerals. Vegetables such as Pulaka (Cyrtosperma chamissionis), and Taamu (Alocasia macrorrhiza), and tomatoes are grown on the island. Different varieties of fruits ranging from bananas to papaya can be grown. Fish is the main staple diet along with breadfruit, and have the choice and availibility of Western goods from the local store.