Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week

This year’s theme for Kiribati Language Week is Eutakirakean ma kabwaekekean ara taetae ni Kiribati ma kateira ao rabakaura, bon maurin ao tokabetin te I-Kiribati (thriving and flourishing our Kiribati language, culture, and knowledge build I-Kiribati resilience and prosperity.)

Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland’s Academic Services Manager from the Faculty of Education and Social Work, Mamere Takoa-Bare has carried the rich culture of her ancestors across to Aotearoa. 

“Kam na bane ni mauri! Arau Mamere Takoa-Bare. Greetings, my name is Mamere Takoa-Bare. I am originally from Kiribati, Banaba, Tuvalu and am also of Chinese ancestry.” 

Her maternal grandfather was part I-Kiribati and Chinese, while her mother hailed from Banaba Island (located at the most western point of The Republic of Kiribati.) It was the mining of phosphate in the 1900s by the British that would have a devasting effect on Banaba residents and seal their fate.

The mining stripped a significant amount of the island’s surface making it uninhabitable, resulting in the purchase of Rabi Island in Fiji by the Banabans’ phosphate royalties; with the subsequent relocation of its people thousands of miles away from their homeland to Rabi Island.

When Kiribati gained independence from Britain, Banaba was claimed as part of its territory. However before the advent of colonialism, Banaba held its own identity. 

“Banabans have always stood firmly in our roots as Banabans,” says Takoa-Bare. 

Her paternal grandmother was from Tuvalu and paternal grandfather I-Kiribati, but it was her grandfather’s work with the Kiribati government that chartered a new course for Takoa-Bare’s future; he was sent to Solomon Islands on a work exchange and settled there. 

“I was born and raised in Solomon Islands. I left home to study to become a secondary school teacher at the University of Melbourne, and moved to New Zealand with my husband and family around 2000 following the ethnic tension in the Solomons.” 

She says as a Solomon Islander with Kiribati heritage, it was drilled into her and her siblings to set the bar high when it came to their future aspirations. 

“I remember enjoying most of it but when it came to progressing further in education it was drilled into my siblings and I to always do better than everyone else – to leave no room for doubt or an excuse to be overlooked.” 

An exam at the end of primary determined entry to secondary school. Then at Years 9 and 11 there were exams that had to be passed to remain at school. Finally, at Year 12 another exam secured a scholarship and advancement to tertiary study. 

“As a non-indigenous Solomon Islander, I always had to prove myself. Further study was an advantage that you only had one shot at.” 

On the language journey

She says while growing up the language used at home was very much influenced by Pidgin English and she is still on the language journey. 

“I am still journeying! I am married to a Solomon Islander so the language that we use at home is Pidgin English. I can understand Kiribati and can communicate using the language,” but she finds conversing with older generationsis in her native tongue challenging.  

Takoa-Bare recently celebrated her long-term service employment with the University, having worked across three of its faculties for 20 years now. As someone who also understands the importance of language and culture, she is learning te reo Māori. 

Favourite Kiribati dish

When asked her about her favourite Kiribati dish, Takoa-Bare says it was definitely Te Orora – raw fish! 

“You can prepare it with coconut milk and bush lime, but the best is the basic salted raw fish, straight outta the sea!” 

Celebrations for Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati are being held across the country this week 7 – 13 July.