Located South of Kiribati’s capital Tarawa, Tabiteuea South is an island shrouded in myths and legends, some which date back to the creation of the island. One such myth is the story of Teueanikai (a tree), which legend has it that the branches of the Teueanikai gave way to the formation of the island of Tabiteuea.
Today, the island is divided into two, Tabiteuea Meang (North) and Tabiteuea Maiaki (South). History has it that a bloody massacre at the shores of Tewai village was initiated by the people of the North in attempt to convert the people of Tab South to Christianity. This battle site is today called Buruburu terara which in English translates to bloodshed.
In a quest to learn more about the island’s intriguing history, Tourism Authority of Kiribati (TAK) Assistant Tourism Officer Garstang Bitauea joined a constituency visit delegation to Tabiteuea South led by the Minister for Tourism, Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives (MTCIC), Honourable Booti Nauan.
During the island tour, Mr. Bitauea took the opportunity to undertake tourism awareness across all villages on the island, highlighting the benefits of tourism, and the role of TAK. The program also included a guided tour of all historical sites led by the Unimwane (elderly men) group called Teueanikai. These historical sites were plotted and recorded and will be updated in the island visitor map.
Mr. Bitauea also conducted the Tourism Business Inventory Survey on the island’s 2 accommodation providers, Santo Betero Parish Hotel and Tab-South Island Council Guesthouse. Information gathered will be shared as visitor information and for used for destination promotion.
TAK recognises that there is potential for Tab South to incorporate the island’s myths and legends through storytelling and historical site preservation into their destination product mix. Equally important will be the engagement of the islanders to actively participate in cultural and heritage preservation.
