Rotumans

The Rotumans (Rotuman: Rotuạm; Fijian: Ro) are a Polynesian ethnic group native to Rotuma, an island group forming part of Fiji. The island itself is a cultural melting pot at the crossroads of the Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian divisions of the Pacific Ocean, and due to the seafaring nature of traditional Pacific cultures, the indigenous Rotuman have adopted or share many aspects of its multifaceted culture with its Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian neighbours.

Rotumans
Rotuạm
Ro

Rotumans distribution in Fiji (2017 census)
Total population
c. 25,000
Regions with significant populations
Fiji (Rotuma)	unknown
New Zealand	1,323
Australia	550 - 1,000
Languages
Rotuman, English
Religion
Methodism, Seventh-day Adventist, Roman Catholicism
Related ethnic groups
Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, other Pacific peoples

Ancestors

Rotuma was first inhabited according to record by people of Tahiti Nui, Marquesas, and Rapa Nui. At that time, it was known as Siria. Little was known about the exact years of migration from these far Eastern Kingdoms of those times. The only information known was that Rotuma was used by these three Kingdoms as the royal burial ground for the Kings and Queens of Tahiti Nui and Rapa Nui. Rotuma was known as Siria by the indigenous peoples of Tahiti Nui and Rapa Nui as it was named after the star which lies exactly above the location of the island. Thus, the people of those days prayed to Tagaroa Siria meaning God of Siria. In remembrance of this old royal burial ground, a certain species of seaweed was given as a token of blood ties to remember the old and special bonds between Tahiti Nui and Rotuma. This particular species of seaweed is a delicacy amongst the islands, but it only grows on Tahiti and Rotuma. This seaweed species was given by a Princess of Borabora.

Physical appearance

By most accounts, Rotumans are closely related to their neighbours from Tahiti, Samoa and Tonga. Rotumans are generally noted as being of a light olive to medium brown complexion, with generally wavy black hair, although some individuals have naturally copper-ginger colouring to their hair. Traditionally, men kept their hair shoulder length or longer; however, post-colonial Rotumans look unfavorably on this. They are on average shorter than their Tongan or Samoan neighbours, and less prone to obesity.

The appearance of some individuals more clearly indicates Tahitians (French Polynesia) heritage evidenced by darker skin and curlier hair, and some people show decidedly Native American facial characteristics, such as long, oval-shaped eyes and straight hair.

Rotuman people can point to at least one White people ancestor (usually from England or the United States) since European arrival. This can be attributed to the high ratio of whites to Rotumans in the early days of exposure to white people, when Rotuma became a haven to mutineers and stow-aways who appreciated the beauty of the island and found prosperity as the trading advisers to local chiefs when dealing with Occidental ships.

Rotuman society

Rotuman society is one based more on democracy than most other Pacific cultures. While somewhat stratified, Rotuman culture maintains no class distinctions such as in Fijian or Tongan systems, no noble caste, and no sense of primogeniture. The strength of Rotuman society is the high communal nature of activities. Every Rotuman person maintains a strong affinity for their community, and this is evidenced through participation in large-scale projects (kato'aga) and communal property, such as for agriculture. Rotuman society can be divided, in the broadest sense, into seven itu'u, or districts, each of which is headed up by a male chief, referred to as "gagaj 'es itu'u". It is his role to guide the community's communal works, and represent his constituents as a member of the Rotuma Island Council (RIC).

Rotumans as a Pacific people

Rotumans are Polynesians by most accounts, most physically resembling the Polynesian people of Tahiti, Samoa, and Tonga (which are commonly attributed in Rotuman mythology as the true parent civilizations). But Rotuman musical tradition, prior to European and Central Polynesian influence, consisted primarily of chanting similar to traditional Tahitian or Maori styles (see Tautoga and Himene), both very distant cultures. In addition, many of characteristics of the Rotuman language distance it from Polynesian neighbours with it aligning it more closely with Melanesian (particularly Western Fijian) languages.

Further reading

• "Rotuma." in The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia. Ed. by Brij V. Lal and Kate Fortune. Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press. p. 568–569.