Rotuma is a volcanic island of approximately 43 sq. kilometers, located at 12 degrees south latitude and 177 degrees east longitude, approximately 465 kilometers north of Fiji. Although the island has been politically part of Fiji since 1881, Rotuman culture more closely resembles that of the Polynesian islands to the east, most noticeably Tonga, Samoa, Futuna and Uvea. Because of their Polynesian appearance and distinctive language, Rotumans now constitute a recognizable minority group within the Republic of Fiji.

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Photo Albums

Website Contents

One purpose of this website is to provide information about Rotuman society and culture to those who wish to learn more about the island and its people. It contains information about Rotuman history, language, population and culture, as well as maps. A summary of recent publications concerning Rotuma is also presented.

A second purpose is to provide Rotumans, and those already familiar with the island, with news from Rotuman communities around the world. Far more Rotumans now live abroad (in Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and Europe) than live on the home island. This website is intended to give them a place where they can share news and communicate with one another. For these purposes a news page is included, as well as a bulletin board.

What's New

If you are a frequent visitor to this site here is a quick way to find out what's been posted recently. This will save you having to surf around trying to find new items.

LajeRotuma Initiative

This landmark project, started by Rotumans in Fiji, aims to fund environmental projects on Rotuma, including costal cleanups and school-based environmental education. It is a most timely project and deserving of support from Rotumans everywhere concerned with preserving the island's environment.

The Complete Text of Elizabeth K. Inia's Book, Kato'aga: Rotuman Ceremonies

Kato'aga: Rotuman Ceremonies was published in 2001 by the Institute for Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific, Suva. The book descibes in detail the performance of rituals associated with birth, marriage, death, chieftainship, and much more.

Collected Papers of Alan Howard and Jan Rensel

The full texts of thirty-three papers published in professional journals and as chapters in books by Alan Howard and Jan Rensel are available here. The papers were published between 1961 and 2001 and cover various aspects of Rotuman culture and history over a forty-year period.

Photo essays from Alan Howard's visit to Fiji and Rotuma from 1959 to 1961

An account of Alan's visit to Fiji and Rotuma during 1959-61 in multiple installments, with accompanying photographs.

Installment: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Rotuman Music

Fara music from av mane'a 2000 in MP3 format for downloading

Sound clips from from the CD Tautoga by Ad and Lucia Linkels. The clips are in AIFF format and can be listened to using Quicktime.

The song "Rotuma," sung by members of the New Zealand Rotuma Fellowship, was recorded in Wellington, also by the Linkels. We have added visuals to the words, which are superimposed over the pictures. There are two versions, one for 56k modems (Rotuma 56k), the other for broadband connections (Rotuma bb). Viewing requires Quicktime.

Sound clips from Vali'i: Rotuman Polynesian Music, by the Lalavi Band in Sydney, Australia (in AIFF format).

Sound clip of a song titled "Southseas" that includes some rapping in Rotuman and a Rotuman chorus (in AIFF format), recorded by a group including Aaron Valera, Isaac Titifanua, and Gordon Wesley of Vancouver B.C.

Words to Rotuman Anthem: 'Atumotu Helava la Kele

Minutes of the Rotuma Council

Downloadable pdf files of the Minutes of Rotuma Council meetings (in Rotuman): December 2003, January 2004, March 2004, June 2004, July 2004, September 2004, November 2004.

Contemporary Rotuman Artists

A section featuring artists who draw on Rotuman culture for inspiration. Check out the artistry of Konousi Aisake, Vilsoni Hereniko, Rejieli Paulo, Sofia Tekela-Smith, Tonu Shane Eagleton, David Eggleton, and Treena Rose.

Poetry

Prize-winning poems in Rotuman and English in response to the Alan ma Jan Literary Competition for 2004.

Rotuman Proverb of the Week

Sayings from Elizabeth Inia's book, Fäeag 'Es Fuaga: Rotuman Proverbs

Rotuman Forum

The Rotuman Forum is a site where viewpoints on Rotuman History, Culture, Language, and Politics can be posted. The purpose of the forum is to give Rotumans, and other interested parties, an opportunity to share their views regarding matters of concern to the Rotuman community.

Recent submissions are: Issues of concern to all Rotumans, by Tomasi Sumasafu; an essay on The fishing rights of indigenous people by Sosefo Inoke; Bruce Tizard-Varcoe writes On having a Rotuman Gallery at Fiji Museum. Martoa Vunivalu expresses concern over The waning use of the Rotuman language and Henry Enasio reflects on Thoughts of Rotuma while abroad, Rotumans lost at sea, Rotumans as a blessed people, The forgotten women of our community, Electrifying Rotuma, The need for more reliable shipping, the problem of kava drinking, and the importance of Rotuman role models. Matt Bray writes about the importance of preserving Rotuman culture in a world in which Rotumans have spread around the world. Sid Gordon suggests a solution to Rotuma's recurrent energy problems, and Vilame Gaberiel expresses his opinions about some underlying problems holding back development on Rotuma.

Commentaries are also invited on the Rotuman Land Commission and Rotuma Investments Ltd.

Other submissions include: The coup in Fiji; a discussion of the Dominion of Melchizedek (DOM), a "country" in cyberspace that supported the Proclamation of sovereignty by some Rotumans; A defense of the title HRH Gagaj Sau Lagfatmaro; an essay by Yvonne Aitu following a return visit to Rotuma; essays by Sosefo Inoke on Rotuman Land Disputes and Parliamentary Representation and Rotuman Statehood; an essay entirled Why not Fiji and Rotuma? by Bruce Tizard-Varcoe; an essay by Fuata Jione on Developing Rotuma; an essay on the legitimate aspirations of the Rotuman People by Anselm Herman. Tevita Katafono asks, "Should Rotuma hospital have a morgue?" Responses are invited.

Previous topics include: Rotuman Identity, Rotuman Independence, Tourism, Environmental Concerns, Problems of Youth, Land Disputes, and Rotuman History.

Rotuman Recipes

Recipes for Rotuman dishes. Check out the photo essay by Hillary Morris on making fekei ulu (breadfruit dessert).

Rotuman Humour

A collection of jokes and funny stories contributed by Rotumans.

Rotuman Register

We have created a database register for Rotumans on the Internet. We invite everyone involved with the global Rotuman community to fill out a form indicating who they are and how they can be contacted. This will allow individuals to locate relatives, friends and associates by using the search function. Since this is a new project there will be only a few people in the database at first, so please be patient. The most important thing at this point is for Rotumans who use this website to provide information about themselves and to encourage others to do likewise. When the database gets built up it will be a valuable resource for keeping in touch with one another.

Interactive Rotuman <--> English Dictionary

Type in an English word and find its Rotuman equivalences, or type in a Rotuman word and find its English translation.

Rotuman Language Lessons

A set of Rotuman language learning lessons prepared by Dr Marit Vamarasi

The Rotuman Archives

A compendium of documents describing various aspects of Rotuman culture during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Linked Sites

• Pacific Vision (www.fiji-island.com/rotuma.html )
• Aspects of History (http://www.janeresture.com/rotuma/index.htm)
• Fiji Government Online (Search "Rotuma")
• Rotuman Ordinances (http://www.itc.gov.fj/lawnet/fiji_act/cap122.html)