Overview

Te Rii ni Banaba - backbone of Banaba, is a history of Banaba, situated in the Central Pacific, once known as Ocean Island. By recording genealogies, myths, legends, customs, culture, magic rituals and the long-kept secrets of the te Aka clan reveals the uniqueness of Banaban identity. The arrival of the I-Matang (Europeans), beachcombers, blackbirders, whalers, missionaries, and the miners in 1900, with the discovery of phosphate (guano) and a heartbreaking trail of loss, exploitation and environmental degradation from mining. The toll of World War II atrocities suffered during the Japanese invasion, and the subsequent forced exile of the Banabans from their homeland. The recorded names of those tragically killed on Banaba during the War and displaced Banaban survivors who were exiled on Rabi, Fiji in 1945. Te Rii ni Banaba - backbone of Banaba, brings to light new research, including the long-kept secrets of the mysterious te Aka clan, and the successive invasions of Banaba. Then the I-Matang (Europeans) arrived - beachcombers, blackbirders, whalers, missionaries, miners and an occupying Japanese military force during World War II. 1900 was a turning point in this sequence of events with the discovery of phosphate (guano) and a tragic trail of loss and environmental degradation from mining. The Banaban people, who were exiled from their homeland - first during the Pacific War, then to Rabi (Fiji) afterward. The names of all those Banabans tragically killed on Banaba during the War and the names of the displaced Banaban survivors who arrived on Rabi in 1945 are recorded. Although always remote and now decimated by mining, Banaba remains in the hearts of all Banabans. A key narrative in Te Rii Ni Banaba - backbone of Banaba, is the struggle by Banabans to discover their culture and identity, and the authors write, fearful that due to pressure from Fijian, I-Kiribati and western influences, future generations will no longer know or identify as Banaban. This second edition includes additional photographs, the discovery of the missing link of the Toakira, the search for Teimanaia's skull, identification of the landowners from the first agreements in 1900, and insights into the famous 1975 Banaban Court Case. It also provides details of villages lost to mining for future generations to trace their genealogies and land rights. Although remote and now decimated by mining, Banaba remains in the hearts of all Banabans.

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9780648546221

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Reviews

Thank you both for keeping it alive for our young generation to feel and understand the sufferings, frustrations, anger and fights our ancestors had gone through many years back for our beloved Island. It is indeed a sad story. How on earth some richest countries were so unfair and inhuman to our people by destroying us and the beauty of our Island. GIGI UEKAM, Young Banaban

This book is so well researched, written, and produced. The story is well told, but the visuals really help tell the whole story. Most anthropological books of a similar vein would include this information, but this doesn't read like a normal textbook. Perhaps, it's because the authors have emotional ties and understand Banaba on a deeper level. This is opposed to an outside author or academic coming in to write a book. The history of Banaba is something that needs to be told . Judge's Commentary: 27th Annual Writer's Digest Self-Published Book Awards. USA ____________________ Thank you both for keeping it alive for our young generation to feel and understand the sufferings, frustrations, anger and fights our ancestors had gone through many years back for our beloved Island. It is indeed a sad story. How on earth some richest countries were so unfair and inhuman to our people by destroying us and the beauty of our Island. GIGI UEKAM, Young Banaban ____________________ It covers all aspects of the ancient and modern history, traditions and present day state of the Banaban people. It is dedicated to future generations of Banabans in the hope that they will want to know about their peoples' and their island's past while, in all probability, blending more and more with the world directly around them in their Fijian exile. The book is detailed, thorough and passionate. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know about the Banabans. It is also a fine study of the horrendous local consequences of British (Australian, New Zealand) imperialism and economic exploitation. Jeremy Cooper, Freelance Media Producer, UK. ____________________ Great collection of archival research and traditional history - This book is a great introduction to Banaban culture and history. Sigrah and King weave traditional history with archival research in a format that's accessible and interesting. A must-read for anyone interested in Oceanic cultures & history, especially those affected by mining operations and displacement during the colonial era . Janice L. Cantieri, USA. National Geographic-Fulbright Fellow, Reporting from Fiji and Kiribati.

Thank you both for keeping it alive for our young generation to feel and understand the sufferings, frustrations, anger and fights our ancestors had gone through many years back for our beloved Island. It is indeed a sad story. How on earth some richest countries were so unfair and inhuman to our people by destroying us and the beauty of our Island. GIGI UEKAM, Young Banaban ____________________ It covers all aspects of the ancient and modern history, traditions and present day state of the Banaban people. It is dedicated to future generations of Banabans in the hope that they will want to know about their peoples' and their island's past while, in all probability, blending more and more with the world directly around them in their Fijian exile. The book is detailed, thorough and passionate. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to know about the Banabans. It is also a fine study of the horrendous local consequences of British (Australian, New Zealand) imperialism and economic exploitation. Jeremy Cooper, Freelance Media Producer, UK.

Author Information

Raobeia Ken Sigrah is an indigenous Banaba clan spokesman and historian. Together they formed a personal and collaborative partnership to seek justice and the rehabilitation of the Banaban homeland. They believe their lives are intertwined, bringing them together to right the wrongs of the past. Stacey King is an Australian with four generations of her family involved in the mining of Banaba. Together they formed a personal and collaborative partnership to seek justice and the rehabilitation of the Banaban homeland. They believe their lives are intertwined, bringing them together to right the wrongs of the past.

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