Stories From Kiribati

(MATARI AO TE TIA TARARUAI ANA MAN BAKOA)

E a manga rangi ni babaa ngkai te akawa i taari teuae Matari - are ai bon temanna bwa te toa ngkai. A bon aki kona n tare n te ika bwa n te bong koraki ao ai te nanako naba n akawa. Ana tabo ae rangi n tatangiria riki n akawa iai bon aon te maran n tain te ora ke nanon te nama ngkana e iabuti. Ngkana e iabuti ao e uanako naba ni bebeibeti n akawa.

Ma iai kaokoron akawan Matari ma are e tataneiai te aba iai. E aki kabongana te ao ke te matau. Eng, e ti kabonganai marurungin ao korakoran baina ma waena. N te tai naba are e kabuka iai taari ni baina ke waena ao ai bon te mate naba ika n te tabo anne; n rebwetauan ma rurungaan ana kabukibuki. Tiaki ti n te tabo anne ma a rotaki naba ika ma manin taari riki tabeua ake tao irabwi te iaati raroaia ma ngaia. Ibukin ngkanne akawaan ika ake a bwanga n te rakai, ao e a ti karina naba baina ao mani urubekea te rakai anne. Bon te akawa ae moan te kareke ngkai bon akea aia anga ika n rabanako mai iai.

Ma iai te bwai ae rikirake ni katabetabea nanon Matari n ana tai n akawa. Bon aomatan taari are e aki toki ni bebeibeti ni uakaan ma ngaia n te tabo are e akawa iai. Te aomata aio bon kaain moone ao tabena bwa te tararuaia ika ao manin taari n aekaia nako. Eng, bon anne mwiokoana mai iroun Bakoa - aia uea kaain taari ao are e maeka n ana tabo are Moone i kabin marawa. E rangi n un ao nanokawaki te aomata aio n aron akawan Matari, riki boraia iika ni mate man kabukan taari ma urubekean taian rakai ma atiibu.

Akea riki te bwai ae riai ni karaoia teuaei ma ti te kaongoa Bakoa rongorongoia ana ika ma ana man ake ai bon te bora naba ni mate iroun Matari. Ngke e ongo Bakoa anne, ao e aki kabanetai ma e a kanakoa naba ana kakao nakon Matari bwa e kani kaitibo ma ngaia i abana are i moone. E karaoa aio Bakoa bwa bon ana anga ni kamwanea ao n tiringa Matari ibukin ana mwakuri nakon bwain ma ikan taari.

N te bong are imwiina ngke e a manga tabe naba n akawa Matari, ao e a kaongoaki rongorongon ana kakao Bakoa. E aki rangi n mimi n te kakao anne ngkai e a kaman ongoongo aningina rikina iroun ana unaine arei. E rangi ni kan kaitibo naba ma Bakoa ao riki e kan noora te aba are moone. “Akea te kangaanga!” ana kaeka Matari nakon teuare e uota te rongorongo.

N okirikaakina nakon mwengana ao e a kaongoraea neiere tibuna taekan ana kakao Bakoa. E kaeka te unaine arei man taku, “Bon anne ana kawai Bakoa ni kamwaneko bwa e na tiringko. Ko riai n tarataraoi ao ni kaiangoraoiko. Uoti betiam ni mwananga are am koromatang ma am man te kekenu. Kabonganai bwaai akanne n tain te kangaanga.”

E a tauraoi ngkai Matari ni kaea nangin moone. Iriana bon ana koromatang ao ai ana man te kekenu are e kainaki raoi inanon te abein are e rarangaaki man baan te ni. E a karaurau n ruo nako taari ni kaea te aomata are e taningaia i nano. A uaia ngkai n tebonako i taari bwa ai kaean moone irouia.

(E na reitaki - Mwakoro 4)

(KAOKAN MAEUN MATARI)

Ngke e a reke angin te marurung iroun te unaine aio ao e rinnako ngkanne inanon ana umwana ae bon tau buburana. I mwiin rokirokian raoi umwana arei ao e a kena aontano ao man kaiia atan Matari inanona. E karaua raoi ni kabwaritaake i etana, e kamakii matana ao imwiin te tai ae aki maan ao kai are e a mwanewenewe naba matanriana. Eng, e nako kain ana tabunea! E kabanea teniua te bong n ana tabo ao n arona anne - n aki mamatam, mooi ke matu.

Akea bwa ngke e koro raoi ana moani bong n tabunea, ao e a otirake naba te bwai teuana man ruan Matari. Ko ataia bwa tera? Bon te koromatang ae e iku are e a tia raoi n taiaki ibukin te tiritiri.

Akea bwa ni koron ana kaua bong, ao e a manga otirake naba te bwai teuana man te tabo naba arei. E kaurei matana neiei ao n noora te man ae uarereke. Eng, te man anne bon te kekenu - te man are akea tokin amwarakena e ngae ngke e tuakarako rabwatana.

N te kateniua ni bong are ai bon kataraoana, ao e a okirikaaki rabwatan Matari bwa e a maeu ni korakoran te waaki n tabunea. N okina aio, ao ai bon temanna bwa te TOA NI MWAANE. E kamaura tibuna ao mani inga ma ngaia.

(RAIRA KAINA MATARI)

E a manga karaoa naba waana te rooro Matari. Ngke e tia raoi waana ao e a tuanga neiere tibuna bwa e na nako ni kabuubuti i taari. E ata te bwai are e na riki te unaine arei, aingaia are e kataia ni karaua nanon tibuna arei ao man butiia bwa e na aki mwananga. E tokanikai riki nanon Matari ni kan raira kaina aingaia are imwaain mwanangana ao e a anganaki uotana te koromatang are bon raona ngkoa n roko.

E na tabwara ao are e a kabwaka naba waana te rooro arei ao man taoni waena n ririetana iaon te bike. E aki maan ao akea bwa e a manga roko naba i aan te kaawa arei. Aki tabwara rorobuaka ma a bane naba n otinako mani mwaneabaia ao man ruruon nako aon te bike. Ma ngke e noora aio Matari ao kai are e a aroraanako naba baina are iai ana koromatang iai ao mani katioa rirarikina nako moana ao ni manga reitia nakon ana itera are te iterana. Bon akea riki bwa ti te bora ni mate rorobuaka ake a mwaneaua ni kawain te koromatang anne. Ngkana e a manga kaokia rikaaki ao a manga bora naba ni mate ake i mwaaina. Ai kawara ao ai kananoangara rorobuakan te kaawa anne bwa bon akea temanna ae reke maeuna. N rokona i tinanikun te mwaneaba ao e a karina naba ana koromatang mai aan bukarerena ao man tabekirake ni kabobarakia. E bon rangi ni korakora te mate irouia kaain te kaawa n te tai anne.

I mwiin anne ao e a okirikaaki Matari nakon mwengana. E rau nanona bwa e a tia n raira kaina ma tibuna irouia kaain te kaawa are a tiritiri mani banga-aomata akekei.

(E na reitaki - Mwakoro 3)

(ANTAI MATARI)

N te aba teuana ao e mamaeka iai temanna te unaine ma tibuna te mmwane ae arana Matari. Bon ti ngaiia ni maeka n aia tabo aio are e bon raroa ma te kaawa. E bon tau buburan aia auti are e tei i etan taari ma bikena ae mainaina. I maiakiia ao iai te kaawa are e kaainaki irouia aomata aika bati.

Mamaten nanon te teinimwane ae Matari bon te kabuubuta waana te rooro i taari n tain te ora. N te bong koraki ao e na bon bae n takakaro te teei aio ma waana i taari ngkai bon akea raoraona are e kona n takakaro ma ngaia - ti tibuna are angiin te tai ai te tiitiku naba n te auti. Ma ni katoatai imwain nakon Matari ni kabuta waana ao e aki toki tibuna arei ni kakauringnga, “Tai roroko i aan te kaawa ane i maiakira anne bwa ko rawa n aki karairaki!” Ana kaeka Matari n taainako ti te kangai, “Eng, I ongo am taeka ao I aki kona ni mwaninga.”

Ma akea bwa n te bongina ao e manga takakaro naba te teei aio ma waana te rooro arei. E matoatau te ang ao man nakoraoi oran taari ao aio are e kamwaninganakoa Matari n takakaro. E kabuta waana te roro i taari ao ngaia e bibiribiri i etana i aon te bike. E tatakarua mani ngarengare ni kukurei n ana tai ni biribiri bwa rokon nanona n noran tiikeken waana. I nanon mwaninganakona n arona anne ao akea bwa e a kitana tian abaia ao man roko ni mwaaken te kaawa are i maiakiia.

(KAAIN TE KAAWA AIO)

E bo atin te ruoia inanon mwaneabaia ae te toa are e tei i mataniwiin taari n tanrion aia kaawa. A boni babane aia koraki bon mai irouia ataei ni karokoia kaara. A rangi ni karokonano aia kanoa bwa te kaimatoa, te kamei, te bino ao mwaie riki tabeua. E rebwe te bwaoki, e taekeeke te uboa, e ruo te ana, e katikaki te kai ao iriana are angin te mwaie are e taona nanon te mwaneaba. A tieekeke taani mwaie ao a nimarangirang kaain naano bwa e a bon roko ni kaungana taiani kanoa. Ma ngke e moti are tekorana ao akea bwa e a eka naba mataniwiin ke baatuan te kaawa. E mabu nanon te mwaneaba bwa te ongora nakon ana rongorongo te baatua.

“Ngkai ao iai te aomata ae raka ae e toua biken abara aio. Bon arona naba arei, tiringnga n te tai are e roko iaan tanrion ara mwaneaba. Uringa atana bwa e na katineaki ni iteran te mwaneaba bwa bon baireana ma rimoa!” ana taeka te baatua nakoia kaain te mwaneaba are a ingaingaa ngkai kaotin te ianena are a tabe n toua biken abaia arei.

Ngke a e bon tibwa bwaka te teei are Matari iaan tanrion mwaneabaia ao aki tabwara rorobuaka bwa a ruaonna naba ni katiaa arona i aon te bike. Bon ti iraai te koromatang n toka iaon Matari ao are e raraunako naba ni bwaka ni mate. E kauraaki rabwatana inanon te ai ma a katuka matanriana (atana) inanon te bwaabwa ao ni katineaki ni iteran te mwaneaba. Ai kaawa ra ao ai kananoanga ra Matari bwa e aki okira tibuna ae e tiku n ti ngaia i mwiina ma te kariaria.

(TE UNAINE ARE E TIKU MA TE KARIARIA)

Akea bwa e a matairake taari ao e tuai mani karairaki naba Matari. Angiin te tai ao e okioki n takakaro imwaain matairaken taari ma n te tai aio ao bon akea naba baangina ni karairaki. E a kekerake riki taari ao e tuai mani kaoti naba Matari. E taonaki n te ang teuana te unaine arei aingaia are e a keiaki ni wairio nako aon te bike bwa e na tarataraa tibuna i taari. E taraa meang ma akea iai. E a manga taraa maiaki ma bon akea naba baangin te aomata. E a tatakaruaea arana ni weweteia, “Matari Ooo! Matari Ooo!” ma bon akea naba ae tou.

E a kakaraurau ngkanne te unaine aio n riaon te bike nakoaiaki. E a noori ngkanne mwaneka riaon te bike ake a tuai ni mauna n taari are e tabe ni kekerake. E kinai mwaneka akanne bwa bon mwanekan tibuna ao akea riki. E bon reitanako naba tiriwewetean aran tibuna ma bon akea naba te bwana ae ongo. E a taoni riki waena neiei ni rimwiin mwaneka akekei ni karokoa e a ataia bwa e roko ni mwaaken te kaawa are i maiakiia. E a tei ngkanne n tara maiaki riaon te bike ma te nakonnano ao te rawawata bwa e a namakina te bwai are e ananga n tia n riki nakon tibuna are bon ti ngaia mamaten nanona. Tera ae na karaoia? E na reitanako kawaina ke e nang karairaki? Ma ibukin tangiran tibuna irouna ao e a katau bwa te reitanako kawaina. Ibuakon te tabeaianga ma te angi ni maroaa are e taonna ao e a kekerakina kawaina nakoaiaki.

E a kaman atai rongorongoia kaain te kaawa aio bwa te koraki ni ioawawa ma ni banga-aomata. E ataia bwa ngkana e roko iaan aia mwaneaba ao e a tiringaki naba. Ibukin aio ao e a kabongana rabakauna n tabunea ni katea iai riariana ao mani kanamoraoa kawaina ma rokona irouia.

(KAAIN TE KAAWA RIKI)

I mwiin tiringan Matari ao e a manga reitakinako naba te ruoia irouia kaain te kaawa arei. E waaki ngkanne te buki, te tireeree, te karanga ao tabeua riki. N reken te marena, ao e a manga takaarua naba te baatua, “Mwaane Oo, manga iai naba te aomata ae raka ane iaoni kawaina n roko iaan mwaneabara. Bon taekana naba arei, tiringnga ao katinea atana n te mwaneaba.” A onrake nanoia rorobuaka n te un ma te kani kamamate ao ai ingaingaan rokon te iabatera n tanrion aia mwaneaba. A bane n tauraoi ma aia kai ni buaka inanon baia.

Ma ai boni kamimi ra! Bwa ngke e a roko te unaine arei i tanrion te mwaneaba, ao ai bon te nei ae maborabora nanoia rorobuakan te mwaneaba. E birinako te un ao e ruamwiiaki n te akoi ae akea n ai arona. A bwaka aia koromatang mai nanoni baia ao a karaurau ni wairio ni butimwaea ao ni kaira te unaine nakon aia mwaneaba. Ai aki akora naba korakoran te tabunea!

“Bukin rokou bwa I rimwiin tibuu ae takakaro ma waana te rooro. Au kantaninga bwa e kaoti baangina n ami tabo aio. I tangiria n okirikaaki ma ngaia.” ana taeka te unaine nakoia kaain te mwaneaba.

Tera riki ae a na kona n taekinna kaain te mwaneaba? Ai bon ti te karautaeka ao te kabwarabure n te bwai are e a tia n riki. A kaongoa naba te unaine taekan atan tibuna are e tinetine inanon te bwaabwa. Ngke e ataia neiei bwa nikiran rabwatan tibuna are e kauiaa ai bon ti atana; ao e a tuatua bwa e na anganaki bwa e a na uotia n oki rikaaki. Eng, e bon rangi n rotaki nanon te unaine aio n te un n aron aia mwakuri ni banga-aomata kaain te kaawa aio. E rangi ni kan raira kain tibuna ma e ataia are e tuai boo taina.

Ngke e reke irouna atan Matari ao e a karaurau n okirikaaki. I aoni kawaina n okira mwengana ao e a bon mamangooa te tang ngkai akea tibuna are bon ti ngaia raraona n te bong koraki. N rokona ni batana ao e a karaua ni katoka korakain rabwatana.

(E na reitaki - Mwakoro 2)

I heard mother sang songs

When the sun rose in the east

I could smell hard burning woods

Early in the morning

Nearby the hut

When she called, children! Time for tea

Grated fresh coconut meat

With hot babai and saltfish

Served with reddish kamaimai

Oh! My favourite dish!

 

Daddy rose early as rooster flapped his wings

His toddy ibu screamed happily

Marked the new day for duty

His handsome face with strong ribs

Provided me a wealthy home

Of love and care.

 

In dreams I saw him

With doubtful eyes

His worries of today and tomorrow

Of how our well being would be

Our education and life

Our traditions and customs

To holdfast that like an ironwood

To prolong it to our new generation

From day to day

To never vanish it from sight.

 

(Written by: Mrs Karibannang - School Teacher)

Men sang with cutting knives

High on tops of coconut trees

Sweat falling like raindrops

Early in the morning

Like waves rolling in and out.

Women lit fire with handful

Of merry and caring

Boiled toddy to make 'kateete' and 'kaboreere'

Weaving mats under a pandanus hut

When the lamp gives enough

Light before the new day born.

Children collected firewoods

As others pulled out 'bero' fruits

For dinner with barbecue fish

Out on the reef everyone laughed

Catching octopus , eel and

Pretty shells for mother

To decorate her weaving hat

For money

To support my education and living.

(Written by: Mrs Karibwannang - School Teacher)

Aikai 2 mai ibuakon taian kamwaninga (riddles ke puzzles) ake a rangi ni kakabonganaki irouia ataei ma ikawai iaon aban nako Kiribati. Ko na boni bae ni kaman atai rekeia - ngkai te kantaninga bwa ko a boongata n ongoongo mai mwaina. Ma ngkana tao a boou iroum ao kata rakem iai. Butiia ataein batam bwa a na buokiko :).

1. Iai te bwai arei te bwai arei, ngkana e ioioaki bwarana ao e a bwaka naba te karau. Tera?

2. Iai te bwai arei te bwai arei, n te ingabong ao e nakonako n aai waena, n te tawanou e nakonako ni uaai waena, ao n te tairiki e nakonako n tennai waena. Tera?

Korea am reke n te comments.

Two kids played among the plants just beside the road. They came across a green flying insect on one of the leaves. The girl quickly got hold of it. She was about to finish it when...

Boy:- Don't kill that insect or your father will die!

Girl:- My father died years ago.

Boy:- Well then, let the insect live and in return, you'll get a new dad.

Girl:- True? I think I like that.

Several days later, those kids met again at that same place.

Girl:- Hey, that was magic. There’s a man living with us now.

Boy:- See? A new dad for you.

Girl:- But, what if I don't like him?

Boy:- That’s easy, look for that kind of insect and just kill it!

Aran ngkoa te reirei are i tabon Takoronga i Betio bon Takoronga Primary School. Bon anne arana ae bati n kinaaki iai n ririki aika a bati. Ma e a manga bitaki arana nakon DaiNippon Primary School imwiin bobongan te DaiNippon Causeway are imarenan Betio ma Bairiki.

Bon te bwai ae moan te kakawaki bitakin aran te reirei aingaia are e a kaman karaoa ana katauraoi te reirei aio imwaain te botaki ni katokaara. Taiani marooro, kamataku ma te amwarake a kaman tia aron baireaia. Irua ake a na kaooaki a kaman roko naba irouia aia invitation cards.

Students, parents, komete ao ai bon teachers ao rangi ni ingarakea rokon te bong are te Kanimabong. Te bong anne are e nang kamatoaaki iai bitakin aran aia reirei man Takoronga Primary School nakon arana ae boou ae DaiNippon Primary School.

E a mwiokoaki ngkanne te Tiibi Komete bwa e na anga te welcome speech nakoia irua. E rangi n timwaati ao man rabakau naba ni marooro te rorobuaka aio. Ai bon te akea riki ana kangaanga bwa are ngaia e a tia ni koreaki ana speech n te beeba ao manga bon te taetae ni Kiribati. Nanona bwa e a ti warekia naba ngkana e roko ana tai. E aki rangi ni kabanea ana tai ni warewareka ana speech te Tiibi Komete aio bwa are e bon rabakau ni wareware ni Kiribati - ma e aki ataia ae iai ENGLISH WORDS ibuakona.

Akea bwa e a roko te Kanimabong ao a bane n roko irua ma kaain te botaki ni mwaneaban te reirei. E kaukaki n te tataro ao imwiina e a boo ana tai te Tiibi Komete.

E na tabwara am Tiibi Komete ma are e a kauka naba ana beeba ao mani wareka ana speech: “Kam na mauri ara irua, te bong aio moan te kakawaki ...... e nangi bwaka aran ara reirei nakon te ara ae, ae, ... (e a bae ngkanne wiina bwa e a babanga warekan te ara are DaiNippon Primary School aingaia are e a keiaki ni katiribwarea n te taetae ni Kiribati ) ... ae, ae TAINABOON BURIMARAI TIO OO”

Bon tiaki te bwai tounakoia irua ma te koraki - n aran te reirei are a ongora. A kariaa te ara are ‘DaiNippon Primary School’ ma ai tiaki bwa ai ‘Tainaboon Burimarai Tio Oo’.

E na kanga iroun aia Tiibi Komete ao ngaia e aki bane naba ana Class 9 ngke e primary.

Inside the classroom, a teacher helps pupils on pronouncing letter Q properly.

Teacher: Class, say after me Q
Class: Q
Teacher: Again Q
Class: Q

Teacher notices that Little Taata is the only one who says nothing. 

Teacher: Taata, say after me Q
Taata: No, I won't say it
Teacher: Why?
Taata: I promised Mum not to swear

(Letter Q and the Kiribati word 'kiu' (person's bottom) sound the same)

One day, someone in the family was sick therefore a 9 year old boy was sent to call the Medical Assistance (MA) for help.

Arriving at the MA’s home, the boy called out, “Where’s the MA? Someone’s sick and needs help.”

“Sorry, he left yesterday. He went overseas!” said the wife.

The boy nodded then went back home. On his way he kept saying, “Overseas, overseas, overseas, ...” The word was important and he didn’t want to lose it.

At home, the family asked, “Is the MA coming?”

“No. He left yesterday!” said the boy.

“Where?” family insisted.

“Overfence!” was the boy’s reply.

As the big tree known as 'Te Kaintikuaba' finally collapsed, Nei Takarara left the tree and went to the island of Nabanaba. She brought the seed of the tree with her. Arriving at Nabanaba, two men - Tauaba and Nakekea - met and married her. Nei Takarara soon gave birth to a daughter whom she named Tekanuea.

There was also a man by the name of Tearikintarawa who lived on the island of Tarawa. With him were his wife, Nei Tarawa, and only daughter Nei Terieri. Everyday, Nei Terieri would always go out searching along the shore for a special plant that she wanted to own. Her father didn't want her to walk about in the heat, so he said, "Don't ever go out again in the sun. It burns your skin. I will find a plant for you." And so the father himself searched throughout the whole island - but failed to find one.

His attempt finally brought him to the island of Nabanaba. The islanders sent him to Nei Takarara for she was the only person known to have brought a special seed from Tamoa. Having no other choices and knowing how customary embarrassing it would be, Tearikintarawa courageously went to the house of Nei Takarara. He explained everything to the family then politely pleaded if he could be offered the ownership of that particular seed. The reply wasn't too easy. The seed was more than an ordinary item, but a souvenir and an identity of Nei Takarara. Moreover, her own daughter Tekanuea, was the rightful future owner of the seed. Despite obstacles of such, Takarara finally offered the seed to Tearikintarawa. But another thing - Tearikintarawa lacked the skills and materials for planting and growing the seed well. To solve that, the daughter Tekanuea, agreed to go with Tearikintarawa for having the skills required in nurturing the seed. In addition, Tekanuea kindly offered another plant called Tekieburabura for Tearikintarawa's daughter as well. Gratified by the support, but above all the generosity of the family, Tearinkintarawa, in return, poured out heartfelt words of thanks. Just before they left Nabanaba, Tekanuea collected some black soil which she would be using when planting the seed. The two then set away to Tarawa. Unfortunately, Tekieburabura plant accidentally fell and disappeared in the sea - just before reaching its destination.

Both arrived on Tarawa at Buariki village and the spot they landed at was named after Tekanuea. Planting the seed began and of course the last thing Tekanuea added was the black soil she brought from Nabanaba. The seed easily popped into a young plant and later into a lovely stupendous tree never seen on the island before. As the tree bloomed, Nei Terieri climbed up to pick the flowers before someone else could. But while she was at the top, the tree instantly stretched upwards and within seconds, it was way up in the sky. Down on the ground and at the bottom of the tree, Tekanuea knew that she had finished the job so she married Nareau and soon had a son called Baretarawa. The islanders kept coming to watch this incredible tree and it had become their main story around their midst. The tree must have a name so people came up with 'Kaiekieki'. But many disagreed and instead proposed the name 'Te Abantiantongo'. In the end, the name everyone accepted was 'Te Uekera'.

At the top of Te Uekera, up in the sky, Nei Terieri became the wife of Taukarawa - the son of Raureningaina and Boinimainikuao. She bore two sons - Tabuarikiteang and the younger brother Tobwaia.

New and full moons came and gone - until a group of warriors from Tamoa came to Tarawa. The on-going and strange story of the tree made these warriors wanting to climb up - mainly for one purpose - to bring the girl down. Unfortunately none of them survived, for as soon as they were seen high up on the tree, the people on Nabanaba sent strong winds that violently blew them off. What lay below the climbers were multiple branches that stretched out unevenly - waiting to beat them up as they fell. And it was true - their bodies repeatedly crushed onto the branches severely killing them before reaching the ground. Some did not reach the ground but stuck dead up on the branches. However, the rescue of Nei Terieri went on by more stout-hearted men who came to the island - but none was able to do so.

By now, Baretarawa had grown into a young man. His motive to climb up the tree did not surprise Tekanuea. "I will bring the lady down," he exclaimed.

"You possibly can do it, since the tree truly belongs to your family," replied his mother. "But you need the help of your grandparents. Go to Nabanaba and ask them to prepare you."

At Nabanaba, Baretarawa was possessed with godly powers of protection, lightness and perseverance. He was told to ask his mother to gather the hair of the dead warriors scattered under the tree and to braid them into a rope. Baretarawa went back to Tarawa.

His mother, Tekanuea did as she was asked - collecting the hair then braiding them into a well-knit rope. When finished, she led her son to Tearikintarawa. "My son will climb the tree to bring down your daughter." she informed Tearikintarawa.

"What's under your arm?" Tearikintarawa asked the boy.

"A rope for climbing." the mother replied instead.

Tearikintarawa watched the boy as he climbed up. He changed the boy's name to Kairo.

As soon as Kairo was seen from Nabanaba, a strong wind called Nei Bainnano was sent to throw him off the tree. Knowing what's coming up, Kairo wrapped himself firmly to the main stem with the rope his mother made. Nei Bainano struck the tree and the boy vigorously but the job failed. When the wind eased, Kairo continued going up again. Those on Nabanaba saw him so they sent another wind called Nei Bannerere. Very strong wind indeed that almost all the leaves around Kairo were blown off from the branches. With the help of his rope, Kairo managed to stay up there. As the wind eased, the power of lightness helped him to go up quickly. But before he reached the top, the last and most powerful wind called Kareanteang finally approached. Securely tightening himself in his rope and with his legs twisting into a knot, Kairo covered his head with his hands. He did so to prevent his hair from being weeded off by Kareanteang. When the wind was over, he went all the way up to the top.

He found Nei Terieri to be alone. Everybody had gone to fetch water from the area called Tabera since the land had been hit by a drought and all the wells had gone brackish. Kairo also noticed the smell of strangeness and loneliness coming from Nei Terieri. They had to leave quickly otherwise people would come back. But just before they could escape, the people saw them therefore the chase began. As they climbed down they broke every branch above them so those chasing them couldn't go further. 

Down on the ground, Nei Terieri's name was changed to Nei Tereere; to remind people of the lady who broke the branches of Te Uekera tree. The two got married. They had a son called Kiratantarawa who married Nei Tekaotinimone and had a child named Beia.

She couldn't believe her ears when her mother told her that she was going to Maiana, her home-island, to spend Christmas with her grandparents. Tina, the only daughter of Timau and Nei Rite, had always wanted to visit another island but her parents never allowed it. Now she had completed Year Two at KGV & EBS and her grandparents had asked her parents to allow her to come for Christmas.

Her first few days with her grandparents were a bit boring because she spent most of her time at home helping her grandparents. She was new to the place and had not made any friends. But after a week, more secondary school students from the island also returned home. Tina met some of the students she knew from school and began to go out with them. More and more students returned and Tina began to feel much more at home. With so many friends around, she began to enjoy her holiday. Some of her girl friends invited her to their homes in different villages and she also spent several days with relatives. Spending time in different villages like this, she quickly got to know many people. Being an out-going girl, she joined in village games like volleyball, 'kabwe', 'boiri' and she also went to several dance-nights in different villages.

Two days before Christmas day, the people from all villages came to Tina's village, Bubutei, for Christmas. The maneaba (biggest local house) was full and the whole village was crowded. Tina had never stayed in the maneaba for Christmas and had never seen a village so crowded with people. She was very happy and enjoyed everything, especially as her friends had also come for Christmas celebration. There were a lot of games, some of which she joined and some of which she enjoyed watching. On Christmas Day, many more things took place. There were church services, and in the maneaba, the dancing and singing of Christmas carols. Outside were games such as soccer, volleyball, 'oreano' and track events. Tina participated in the 100 metre race and was very happy to receive $10 for coming third.

The maneaba and field events went on for almost a week, and were followed by the New Year celebrations. Tina joined her friends going from house to house in the night singing 'Happy New Year' and in returned received some food and money from the people they sang to. The New Year celebrations went on for almost another week but Tina had to go back to her parents in Tarawa. She was very upset and sad to leave so soon, especially to leave her grandparents, but she was happy to have had such a wonderful holiday.

Long ago the sky was close to the earth. Men and women did not have to plant their own food or go fishing. Instead, when they were hungry, they just reached up and broke off a piece of the sky and eat. Sometimes the sky tasted like ripe pandanus. Other times it tasted like fried fish. The sky was always delicious.

People in the village spent their time playing sports and dancing. At night they sang songs and told stories. The island king, Ueantabo, had a wonderful island. His people made beautiful necklaces out of pieces of sky.

Many people on the king’s island did not use the gift of the sky wisely. When they took more than they could eat, the sky became angry because some people threw the extra pieces onto the ground.

Early one morning the angry sky turned dark. Black clouds hung over the land and a great sky voice said to all the people, “You are wasting my gift of food. Do not take more than you can eat. I don’t want to see pieces of me lying on the ground anymore or I will take my gift away.”

The king and his people trembled with fear. King Ueantabo warned, “Let’s be careful about how much food we take.” For a long time, all the villagers were careful.

But one man named Nabuabeka wasn’t careful. At the feast, he took so many delicious pieces of sky that he couldn’t eat them. He knew he must not throw them away so he hid the extra pieces at the bottom of the coconut basket.

Suddenly the sky saw what Nabuabeka did and became angry. “You have wasted my gift of food again,” yelled the sky. “This time I will go away so you cannot waste me anymore.”

All the people cried, “ What will we eat?” We might starve!”

The sky said, “You will have to learn how to plant crops in the ground and hunt the fish in the sea. If you work hard, you may learn not to waste the gift of the land and ocean.”

Everyone watched as the sky went up and away from the earth. It stayed far away from them. People began to work hard growing plants and going out fishing for their food.

Children of Kiribati 

Wherever you are

Stay calm, work hard and face challenges

Dad says life is just like that.

Children of Kiribati

Wherever you are

Stay together, work together to overcome challenges

The government says life is challenging.

Children of Kiribati 

Wherever you are

Be happy, be grateful and be thankful

Cause life is precious.

Children of Kiribati

Wherever you are

Arise to the top and move forward with dignity

Cause your mother country says you are Kiribati golden life. 

Beach beach

My Kiribati lovely beach

Smiling and welcoming to the people and nature

Beautiful as always in my heart

Shinning bright in the moonlight

Awaiting to ease off all depressions

Shinngin even brighter in the morning

Whispering good morning to all.

Below is the information, we hope, you came here for! The 12 Cabinet Ministers and the Attorney General of the 11th House of Parliament. The team is led by a new President His Excellency Taneti Mamau and his ruling party Tobwaan Kiribati Party.

Ministers                                           Ministries                                                                

Hon. Kourabi Nenem                      Works and Public Utilities (Vice President)       

Hon. Atarake Nataara                      Internal Affairs                                                         

Hon. Kobebe Taitai                          Health & Medical Services                                      

Hon. Tetabo Nakara                         Fisheries & Marine Resources                             

Hon. Tebao Awerika                          Environment, Lands & Agriculture                         

Hon. Alexander Teabo                      Education                                                                    

Hon. Mikarite Temari                         Line & Phoenix                                                            

Hon. Willie Tokatake                          Communication, Transport & Tourism                   

Hon. Tauanei Marea                           Commerce, Industry & Cooperatives                     

Hon. David Collins                              Women, Youths & Social Affairs                              

Hon. Dr. Teuea Toatu                           Finance & Economic Development                  

Hon. Ruateki Tekaiara                         Labour & Human Resources                               

Hon. Natan Teewe                               Attorney General   

Tetaake and Nabureiwa swam out to the ocean. Suddenly Nabureiwa felt being falling into a deep hole of water. Shortly and as Tetaake assured, they had landed now at Tetaake’s father’s island in a world beneath the sea. The name of this beautiful island was Moone. Together the couple walked to their father Bakoa whom delighted to see them. Bakoa was the king of Moone. Nabureiwa was stunned to know his wife was more than an ordinary lady - the princess of Moone and the only daughter of king Bakoa.

The traditional dance mainly performed by those at Moone was Te Karanga. It was a standing dance in which performers moved and sang loudly while rhythmically beating their sticks together. The main song of this particular dance proudly praised and talked about princess Tetaake. It went like this: E tiku te man Tetaake i aon ngaona .. (meaning: Tetaake ascends onto her rightly throne ..)

Nabureiwa wanted to learn and to be able to perform this kind of dance. So one evening, he asked permission, “Tetaake, I want to learn te karanga dance. Can we go and join those dancing?”

“You go alone as I’ve never been in the mood.” she replied.

“Are you okay if I go?” he added.

“Yes, but promise not to love someone else beside me. Be also warned that most of the dancers are my aunts and they are very beautiful like me.” she sounded firm and clear.

“My dear, don’t worry as I will always love nobody but you,” and he went to the dance held inside the maneaba (traditional hall).

At the maneaba, the dance went on. Nabureiwa could see his mother-in-laws and words of their mantrap beauty caused him nodding in agreement. Not long, a dancer, Nei Tenaotari, caught both his eyes and mind. She danced matchlessly well and together her voice and laughter were not only appealing but inviting as well. Nabureiwa tried to put aside his emotion knowing it disturbed his concentration and learning.

Nabureiwa had become very fond of the dance now. He would not want to miss it and therefore, nothing could stop him from going every night. Then a night came when he finally became Tenaotarai’s dance partner.While dancing together they became overpowered by attraction; so when they reached the end of the line, they sneaked out of the maneaba and started dating outside. With witchly power of vision already bestowed upon princess Tetaake, she could see from the distance where and what her husband was now doing.

Anger, hate and jealousy made her majesty the princess walked alone to the maneaba to join the dance. Nabureiwa recognised the voice of his wife among the dancers inside so he said to Nei Tenaotarai. “Hey, something terrible is about to happen. I think Tetaake has come to the maneaba to join the dance, so what shall I do now?”

Nabureiwa walked quietly back into the maneaba and there he saw his wife dancing. He slowly went closer to her, uncertain of what she might do to him. When Tetaake saw her husband, she ordered, “Don’t come any closer. You didn’t listen to my words and had broken our promise. Go, stay with her.”

He tried to fix his wrong doing but Tetaake neither listened nor cared. How sad Nabureiwa was since his wife was indeed right deep in his heart. It was not anyone’s fault but his own so he personally had to accept facing whatever consequences awaiting.

When king Bakoa heard of this, he ordered all the men on the island to a death sentence promulgation. The conch shell horn was blown sending an urgent call for all the men in the villages to come at once to the king’s maneaba. Among those coming were deadly guys - Na Tababa (tiger shark), Na Rokea (snout pointing shark) and Na Unuun (double teeth shark). Nabureiwa shook with fear as he watched things going on around him. When all the men had arrived, they politely addressed the king, “Your majesty, speak now as everyone is listening.”

The king began, “Nabureiwa will die for his offense. You must kill and eat him. He is quite small but I hope everybody gets a share.”

“Great king, please command us to begin,” the men responded eagerly.

“Have patience, for tomorrow, early in the morning, he will be in your hands,” said the king.

The men replied, “As you said, your majesty. We will wait for tomorrow.”

That night, fear caused Nabureiwa to stay awake for hours. He knew for sure that nothing could change and had no choices either. As he happened to fall asleep Nei Tituabine (the goddess of his island) came to him in a dream, “Nabureiwa, get up and go to the guy at the end of the maneaba and ask him to help you.”

When he woke up, his dream did not convinced him therefore he went sleeping again. After midnight Nei Tituabine came back again, “Nabureiwa you took no notice of my advice. Look, daylight is few hours away and if you take your time, things will get worse.”

Nabureiwa finally got up and walked straight to the guy whom told of. As he came nearer, the guy moved away to let him pass since he was the husband of their princess. Instead of passing on, Nabureiwa stopped and asked for help. The guy’s name was Na Anoi (hammerhead shark).

“No problem, get onto my back as we need to hurry.” said Na Anoi and the two dashed upwards to the surface. As they reached half way, they met a guy called Na Kua (whale). When asked to take Nabureiwa further, Nakua kindly agreed so the journey home continued. The third and last guy to take Nabureiwa, this time, all the way to the beach just beside his home was Na On (turtle). At last, Nabureiwa had safely reached his home and families.

Back at Moone, the amusement of Nabureiwa’s escape instantly turned everyone into anger which then followed by a thorough search in every part of Moone. Unfortunately, nobody found Nabureiwa. Upon returning they informed Bakoa of their failure. They also begged their king to allow them to look for those involved in Nabureiwa’s escape. At the end of their investigation, Na Kua and Na On were found guilty while Na Anoi was lucky as he came back to the maneaba well long before dawn. The punishment for Na Kua and Na On was that they should forever go up to the water surface every time they needed to breathe. (And that is why, to this very day, Na Kua (whale) and Na On (turtle) come up to the water surface for air.)

Nabureiwa began teaching his people Te Karanga dance which he had learned from Moone. He also taught them the main songs of the dance and one of them was: E tiku te man Tetaake, e karara iaon ngaona …(meaning: Tetaake ascends and comfortably sits on her rightly throne) and the last words of the final verse was: kai abam riki Kauake (meaning: your home is Kauake).

So up to these days, the people of Aranuka island will always say that Te Karanga dance belongs to them.

Nabureiwa and the traditional dance known as Te Karanga (Part 1)

At the end of her lesson on slang, the teacher asks her students.

Teacher: What does K1 mean?

Student (Ruuka): Awesome.

Student (Tina): One person.

Student (Tata): Ringworm.

Teacher: Ruuka you were right. Tina you were also right. Tata, why ringworm?

Tata: What is 1 in word?

Teacher: ONE.

Tata: Since 1 in word is ONE so K1 together in word is KONE - our local word for ringworm.

Teacher: Tata, I like your thinking.

Ruka is a primary school dropout who likes singing in his village kava bars. Though his English isn't good, he knows few English country songs quite well.

One day he went to an interview for a job of an Assistant Community Worker. The interview was conducted in English. After answering the first question, he was disqualified.

Interviewers: Tell us something about you.

Ruka: I’m a man of my words, I mean what I say, my pledge is my bond, well that’s just my way, when you’ve made a promise, to ….

Interviewers: Stop. Stop! You can leave now.