Joyful islanders and visitors in Mangaia, the most southern of the Cook Islands in the Pacific, recently celebrated the 200th anniversary of Christianity arriving on the island, also known as Auau Enua.
About 1,000 dignitaries from Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and other Pacific islands reportedly visited the island for the colorful celebrations with residents involving times of worship and prayers from June 9 to 16. The opening ceremony took place at the main Bicentennial Arena with singing, entertainment, wonderful food fare and fireworks.
The events complemented the release of a new 328-page book by the active Mangaian Historical Society called Te Au Tārere – the Peace from Afar - telling the story of the arrival of two Tahitian evangelists in 1824, and launched as part of the celebrations, on June 8.
“The title ‘Te Au Tārer’ is taken from an old saying indicating that permanent peace, absent from Mangaia for several centuries, was introduced in 1824 from outside the island – thus ‘The Peace from Afar,’” said the historical society’s authors, Tangatakerekere Ruato’e, Metuamaru Gallagher, Teina Stringer, Taoi Nooroa and Vaiora Teremoana in the book’s foreword.
“According to our ancestors, this permanent peace was the main dividend of the new religion and justified the sacrifice of ancient customs and beliefs to achieve.”
As historian Howard Henry recalled for Cook Island News, the first missionaries were rejected in July 1823 and had to flee for their lives. However, on June 15, 1824, which is the date celebrated recently by the islanders, more missionaries arrived from Europe: ministers Tyerman, Threlkeld and George Benet. The Mangaians agreed to allow two Tahaa missionaries to stay with them: Davida and Tiere, which led to Christianity spreading on the island.
About 100 Mangaians were later sent from the London Missionary Society at the end of the 19th century to Papua New Guinea to witness for Christ. The 150 year anniversary of the arrival of first Mangaian missionary Ruatoka Koro on Nov. 26 1873 was celebrated in Papua New Guinea last November.
According to Cook Island News, there are 10 active churches of different denominations serving the Mangaian population of 450. Population levels have dropped as a result of a decline in the pineapple trade.
A public message for the bicentennial celebrations was posted on social media channels by Poroa Arokapiti, Mangaia Government Representative and Assistant Chaplain Mangaia Bicentennial Committee.
He referred to an ancient prophecy before the arrival of the missionaries, which seemingly foretold the arrival of Christianity
“Before the arrival of missionaries to our shores, there lived a man, known as Arokapiti. A man of ancient days prophesied the end of time.
“Revealing oracles of the future, he can foretell things to come, a great storm, he would tell his people to gather food and water to shelter in the caves. Once he foretold, of a great warrior upon the land who rules with great power. Many are the stories of Arokapiti but for now, our story tells of the great prophecy ever told and passed down from generation to generation, known as the ‘Warning of Prophecy of Arokapiti.’
‘Look yonder upon your settlements oh my dear friends, for many different footsteps will gather among [sic]. There comes on through the edge of the horizon of the ocean your God approaching. He is white as the inner side of the banana leaf.”
The whiteness of the banana leaf, if the prophecy is to be believed, in reality referred not to God himself but the color of the European missionaries who arrived on the island as mentioned above, leaving their diligent and equally respected Tahaa missionary colleagues behind to pastor the residents.
Arokapiti called the bicentennial anniversary a “significant milestone” in the history of the Pacific island and he thanked the wider government of the Cook Islands for their financial support for the celebration.
“I am so proud as government representative of Mangaia, and on behalf of the government today, Honourable Prime Minister Mark Brown, Cabinet members, members of parliaments for the exemption of taxes/levis, on our air/shipping cargo freights, not only for our bicentennial, but also families as well to support this occasion.
“I invite all to a warm welcome, to our extended families throughout our sister islands, Cooks Islands living in New Zealand, Cook Islands living in Australia, Papua New Guinea, Tahiti and all over the world, to our beautiful world paradise so that we can celebrate this special occasion together to honor the power of His Spirit, His glory and His love for us all.”
Arokapiti acknowledged the spiritual journey had seen many challenges for islanders, “the good, the bad and the very ugly.” He may have recalled Mangaia suffering extreme flooding after Cyclone Trina battered the island for eight days in Dec. 2001.
“However, our faith and commitment encourage us to a vision of hope and confident not only in ourselves but also in acknowledging who we are, where we have come from and where we are going.
“I am very proud, honored, to have you join us, share these special moments, throughout this celebration. On this one occasion, we are united as one happy Christian family to share the culture, stories, history of that journey, which started 200 years ago.
“I am also confident that it will be a momentous experience for many, as we retrace that spiritual journey, value and relive that history together which now become part of our daily lives.”
