4.1.2 Women Organizations The AMAK

28 Pages·2013·1.59 MB·English

by  Erimeta Barako

4.1.2 Women Organizations

The AMAK (‘Aia mwaea ainen Kiribati), is the mother organization for all women groups in the country
and is therefore the initial body to register under for general women issues such as capacity building in
skills. There are also women groups belonging to the different churches such as the ‘Reitan Ainen
Kiribati (RAK) and ‘Itoi Ni Ngaina’ as well as independent ones such as the ‘Irekenrao’ and Seamen’s
wives. The community development center at Nikunau was established on most of the outer islands in
the 1990s and now provides a centre which women use to learn new skills for home-care and to store
away their equipments. Nikunau’s development centre has been recently established and is in the
process of completion. The mother organization for the women on the island is called
‘TaNiMwaRuTaMu’, short for the six villages of the island and exists as the umbrella body for all the
women groups on the island, the most active being the RAK. These individual women organizations
have their own different objectives, plans and schedules for group activities.

Generally, women organizations in the country have similar objectives aimed at introducing and
increasing capacities and skills in:-

(cid:131) Both traditional and new knowledge;
(cid:131) Traditional art and craft;
(cid:131) Health awareness and promotion in the homes;
(cid:131) Traditional medicine;
(cid:131) Individual talent skills
(cid:131) Enhance integration among themselves
(cid:131) Provision of assistance and skills to community and island council as required

The women in Kiribati have two
general major fundraising
activities, handicrafts and the
game of bingo. The bingo
fundraising activities allow the
women from the different
community groups to mingle
together in respect and support
of each other’s fundraising
activities as well as catch up with
each other’s activities and
happenings.

The predominant women’s group
on Nikunau is the RAK and to a
lesser extent the ‘Itoi ni Ngaina’
and ‘Irekenrao. However, village women have their own groups for village and family functions that are
not registered or part of a central body. These kind of groups are mostly established for a common
pursuit such as in ‘karekareke’ in all sorts of things such as in ‘microfinancing’ each other while others
take turns cultivating ones ‘bwabwai’ or providing a certain number of thatches while others get together
to raise funds for certain times when cash will be needed such as for independence celebrations.
These activities are indicative of community support of each other in which turns are taken by members
of the group or the community to receive a collective amount of ‘something’ from the group members. In
Tamana, it is a normal practice for community groups to engage in the ‘aiai’ whereas in Nikunau the
community groups get together to raise funds by the popular bingo games.

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3.1.3 Youth and Sports Associations

At a first glance, one would assume that there is a lack of unity of the existing youth clubs on Nikunau as
there are none registered at the Council. This assumption is wrong as, even though the youth groups
are not registered, they are very much active. Most of the youth clubs belong to the different churches
on the island most notably the KPC and to a lesser extent the Roman Catholic.

Likewise for the sports associations, there are none registered but teams to represent the island during
national championships in football, volleyball and ‘oreano’ are organized and determined by the ‘Aan
Nikunau’.

Youth groups being church youth
groups, have their main primary
objective to assist their church
communities in fundraising activities or
any other activity that may come up
from time to time. These church youth
groups also represent the Sunday
School groups who sing and perform
gospel music during church services or
other island functions.

Pictured right, is a popular fundraising
activity for youth all over Kiribati, the
‘kaboo taeka’ (pay to say something).
In this social youth gathering normally carried out in the early evening, nobody can say or request
anything until he/she pays to have the ‘policeman’ announce and for the request to be fulfilled. This is
accompanied most of the time with music but depends on the request being paid for. The requests have
to be fulfilled and can only be avoided by either paying more than what was initially paid in the request or
by carrying out the request itself.

At these social night gatherings, the youth normally organize leis, ‘moimoto’ (green de-husked
coconuts), food and other drinks in preparation for youth needs and requests during the ‘kaboo taeka’.
Other than this popular night activity by the youth, football and volleyball are the most popular sports in
Kiribati.
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4.2 Religion

4.2.1 Main religious denomination

Religion on Nikunau is predominantly Protestant and Roman Catholic with minor followers of the other
churches such as the SDA, the Baha’i and Mormon. The Church of God and other churches already
present in South Tarawa still have to reach the island.

The Kiribati Protestant Church was established in 1870 when a Samoan clergy, sponsored by the
London Missionary Society, arrived at Arorae, Tamana, Onotoa and Beru. Nearly two decades later, in
1888, the first Roman Catholic missionaries arrived in Kiribati (Commonwealth Country Profiles).

Despite the Protestant having
arrived on the island first, most of
the people were rapidly converted
to the Roman Catholic over the
years. Today the Roman Catholics
number 870 (46%) of the 1912
Nikunau population while the KPC
followers number 986 (52%), a
difference of 116 (6%).

The coming of Christianity to the
Kiribati islands also marked the
introduction of literacy to the
people initially with the translation
of the bible to the Kiribati language
and later the production of a
vocabulary/dictionary in those early days. It also stemmed the out-flow of people from the black-birders
whose main routes lay close to the southern islands including Nikunau.

Churches have a large influence in the lives of the islanders and a considerable portion of the people’s
time is spent on activities related to the churches once their daily household chores have been
completed.

4.3 Political Authority and Governance

4.3.1 Traditional political system – description and status

Nikunau falls under the laws and jurisdiction of the Kiribati legislation and are represented in the House
of Parliament by two nominated members. In the last 2007 elections, Nikunau is now represented in the
Kiribati parliament by Mr. Rimeta Beniamina and Mr. Moote Terukaio.

4.3.2 Local government system - Nikunau Island Council

The government system in Kiribati is made up of the central government, based in South Tarawa, and
Island Councils based on each island. Nikunau Island Council was established 15th November 1967
under a warrant that outlined the purpose, responsibilities, authority, powers and laws that govern the
existence of Councils. The functions of the Island Council are spelled out in the Local Government
Ordinance 1966 which has been revised a few times, the most recent being in 2006. The ordinance is
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now better known as the Local
Government Act. The review of 2006 also
included translation of the Act into the local
language. The amendments and
translation were approved in 2007 with
copies already disseminated to island
councils on the outer islands including
Nikunau.

The revised Local Government Act 2006 is
aimed at transferring to Island Councils
more autonomy and responsibility, to
enable them to shoulder the burden of
running their islands with increased
confidence and sense of ownership. The revision of the Local Government Act is, but part of a wider
plan to improve services to people on the outer islands. In addition, central government is committed to
undertake, among others, the following:

1. improve key development infrastructures (transport, communication, health, education, etc.) through
sustained development financing,
2. promote participatory planning and decision-making especially in relation to matters pertaining to the
island as a whole,
3. streamline operations and outputs of Island Councils through human resource development and
stricter management where appropriate,
4. development of new income generation initiatives, and
5. finding and securing of new employment opportunities overseas, etc.

The Island Council is made up of representatives from each village/ward who are elected every 4 years.
There are also nominated and ex-officio members who, together with elected members meet every
month to discuss matters pertaining to the operation of the Island Council and issues affecting the
various wards and the island as a whole. As already mentioned, a seat on these Council meetings is
reserved for a representative from the ‘‘Aan Nikunau’’, and the women. The parliamentarians or
members of parliament from the island are ex-officio members of these council meetings at which the
Chief Councilor presides/chairs while the ‘Clerk’ seconded from the Ministry of Internal & Social Affairs
acts as ‘Secretariat’ and Chief Advisor. Nikunau Island Council has elected members from each of its
six villages as well as representatives from the ‘unimwane’ and women.

Among its core functions as stipulated in the Local Government Act 2006, the Island Council is also
responsible for managing the following general areas:-

(cid:131) Agriculture/Forestry, livestock and fisheries,
(cid:131) Land use, Buildings and village planning,
(cid:131) Education,
(cid:131) Relief of famine and drought (Disaster management)
(cid:131) Markets,
(cid:131) Public health,
(cid:131) Public order, peace and safety,
(cid:131) Communications and public utilities,
(cid:131) Trade and industry

All Island Councils have management support staff that are seconded from central government to assist
the Island Council in administration of island development. These support staff include the Council
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Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Island project Officer, Assistant Social Welfare Officer and Court
Clerk. In addition to this administrative and support team who work directly with Councils, there are also
other government personnel who are placed on the islands to assist in other important services, such as
police officers, agricultural assistants, fisheries assistants, medical assistants, teachers, DBK
(Development Bank of Kiribati) and KOIL agents. The Island Council have/employ their own typist,
drivers, radio operator, mechanic, constables (village wardens), nursing aides etc (See Council Structure
2007 illustration).

Generally, while Island Councils may
welcome new initiatives of central
government to assist them and their people, it
may take a long time to build the financial
capability of Councils for them to be able to
operate with minimum support from central
government. However, they do collect
revenues from taxes and strive to develop
their own income generating activities such
as with rest-house services, boat and truck
hires amongst others.

Central Government still provides support to the Island Councils through what is known as the
Government’s “Support Grant”. According to sources from the Local Government Division of the Ministry
of Internal and Social Affairs, central government provided a total of $1.24 million to Island Councils in
2007. From this grant Nikunau was allocated $50,110.00 (4% of total distributed grant) to assist its
recurrent budget.

Apart from the support grant that the Government gives to the outer island councils, Island Council
projects are also funded by the government and donors most notably the Taiwan embassy in South
Tarawa who gives out AU$10 million every year to fund these island council priority projects from all over
Kiribati. The table below shows Nikunau Island Council priority projects since 2004 that have been
approved and funded:

Table 10: Council approved projects
Project Title Approved funds
Multi purpose Boardroom $48,629.00
Police Office & Cells $65,740.00
Council Truck $40,720.40
Garage Tools $56,000.00
$211,089.40
Source: RPD MISA 2007

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Fig 15: Nikunau Island Council Staff Structure 2007

Source: GoK Island Council Estimates 2007 & ICOP 2006

4.3.3 Interface between Local Government and Traditional Political System

The leadership role of the ‘Unimwane’ by the people on Nikunau continues to be respected by society,
and central government. The modern legal system is however crucial to the maintenance of peace and
order in Kiribati, but there are many instances where modern law fails to provide a solution to certain
situations, and this is where the community under the leadership of the ‘unimwane’ intervenes to provide
the solution. To avoid confrontation between central government and the traditional leaders
(‘unimwane’), who had administered the islands long before the white men came to Kiribati, it was
resolved that the ‘Unimwane’ association would be represented in local government, not as an elected
councilor but as a nominated member. Their role is to assist, advice and in many instances instruct
Council to make decisions that will not contradict local traditions of the island.

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Generally, ‘unimwane’ roles in the Southern islands are taken seriously with men only called ‘unimwane’
at the age of 50 onwards. Membership of the ‘unimwane’ association vary from island to island but they
have been the decision making body for the islands especially the Southern islands before they were
proclaimed as a British protectorate in 1892 by Captain Davies of the ‘Royalist’ and are still respected as
such. Where the Island Councils role is understood as administration of all island development as
central government wants and sees fit, the ‘unimwane’ oversee that the island is administered as
dictated by their traditions and that their traditions are upheld as necessary. Island representation in
national championships and competitions are normally decided by the ‘Aan Nikunau’ and supported by
the island community.

Councils and other institutions cannot disengage themselves from the ‘Unimwane’ who basically hold the
power to community support and/or resources. The Councils on the other hand hold the power to
Government funds and support in island development.

4.4 Crime and Justice System

A Court Clerk from the Judiciary in Tarawa is also stationed on the island to administer the court system
on the island. Duties of the Court Clerk include recording minutes of the magistrate court proceedings,
executing the order of the court, collecting court fees, and processing claims and appeals to the High
Court located in South Tarawa.

There are two police officers on the island who are responsible for keeping the peace and order on the
island and supported by a senior village warden and 6 other village wardens located in the 6 villages of
the island. These village wardens are responsible for keeping the peace in their respective villages but
can seek assistance from the other villages and the residing police officers when needed.

There is only one single Island Magistrate who presides over two courts, namely, the Island Lands Court
and the Magistrate Court which deals with criminal and civil cases. Appealed court cases on the island
are accumulated and reported to central court headquarters in Betio. The High Court Judge then visits
the island to further judge appealed cases or delegates it to other judges.

The following table portrays the number and types of crimes in Nikunau in 2007. The topmost re-
occurring crime in Nikunau and probably the rest of the outer islands is cycling without a light. 43% of
the recorded crimes in Nikunau were those cycling without lights at night followed by 24% driving
motorbikes without driving licenses. The rest of crimes included that of having no motorbike nameplate,
cycling without a bell, criminal trespassing and drunk and disorderly among others,

An interesting crime though listed in the records is that of ‘untidy premises’. Although this does not look
a crime, it is in the end a crime as it could prove harmful to the occupants of the premises especially
children, create a bad reputation for a village or group and cause great discomfort for those living on and
around the premises.
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The table 11 below is a record of the number of crimes/cases committed in 2007 as recorded at the
Police station in Nikunau.

Table 11: Crimes 2007
2007
Type of Offence/Crime No. cases
1 Drunk and disorderly 10
2 Criminal trespass 12
3 Cycling without a light 6
4 Making liquor 71
5 Underage drinking 3
6 Crashing into a person 1
7 No name plate, disc etc 12
8 No driving license 24
9 Excessive passengers on motorbikes 6
10 Cycling without a bell 7
11 Possession of weapon 1
12 Theft 2
13 Arson 2
14 Untidy premises 1
15 Damaging property 3
16 Unlawful wounding 1
17 Insulting words 1
18 Escape from custody 1
19 Larceny of trees 1
165
Source: Police station Nikunau

These crimes are all taken to court with fines accordingly handed down as decided by the local
magistrate. Appealed court cases are all sent to the Magistrates court in Betio for further procession
and visits by the High Court Magistrate in Tarawa.
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CHAPTER 5: TE TABOMOA – ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES, INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES

A. ISLAND ECONOMY

5.1 Subsistence Economy
A subsistence economy is one where people perform traditional activities to meet their individual and
group needs for security, and have no reason to accumulate wealth except to ensure their future
survival. The concept of wealth does not exist hence there is a high degree of sharing and reliance on
existing natural resources, development and maintenance of the natural environment and skills to
harvest and maintain these resources. The nature of the subsistence economy is reflected in the social
organization of families, who join together to form clans (kaainga) that function, according to a set of
rules and roles. Each member of a kaainga performs a different set of activities that are assigned based
on sex and age. It is important for the survival of the group that each member fulfils the roles and
responsibilities assigned to him/her.
Typical subsistent activities include
fishing, toddy cutting, cultivation and
harvesting of food crops mainly
coconut, pandanus, breadfruit and
bwabwai, weaving mats, making
thatches, rolling string, fetching water,
collecting firewood, making fish traps
and hooks, cleaning and washing,
cooking and house construction
amongst others. Most of these
activities are performed by the adult
members of the family, while it falls
upon the younger members to collect
firewood and fetch water, clean the
dishes, the compound, and assist the
adult members to do the easy part of
their chores. Unfortunately,
subsistence living is slowly
disappearing and being replaced by a
cash economy where most subsistence activities are now not only catered towards subsistence living
but also to generate income to pay for the basic necessities.
Where most of the fishing was done for subsistence, it is now sold where there is a surplus or given
freely to relatives, preserved for later consumption or sale. Due to the increasing dependence on
imported goods that are sold to the public by small stores, the importance of cash as a medium of
exchange, has now dominated bartering and sharing that were once traditions of Kiribati.

Monetary institutions such as the Bank of Kiribati and Development Bank of Kiribati (DBK) are not
available on the island and thus the availability of money can be affected, setting the way for the existing
customs of borrowing (tangobwai), asking (bubutii) and or bartering (raibwai). Special skills are kept in
the families and can only be given to sons and daughters, adopted sons or daughters and at times are
given as gifts especially when the parent is being looked after by another family. They can also be gifted
to others when the specialist feels it appropriate otherwise; these skills are kept in the families.

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Consequently the Village banks were introduced to the outer islands (See Village Banks P…..) to
provide a means of micro-financing to the village communities. The Island Treasurer on the other hand
also acts as the Bank of Kiribati outer island focal point for passbook financial transactions.

4.2. Production

4.2.1 Copra cutting

Like the other outer islands of Kiribati,
other than fishing, copra cutting is the
mainstay of the people on Nikunau.
Vulnerable to droughts, Nikunau’s wide
land feature has made it necessary for
coconuts to grow well throughout these dry
periods and thus continuous though
decreased copra harvest.

Statistics showed that 308 coconut trees
are accessed by the 335 households
including 166 toddy trees that are cut for
subsistence living as well as for fermented
toddy, a local brew. These figures
however, only count the number of
coconuts that are nearby or ones that are
surrounding the households and not
counting the ones that dominate the
bush/island.

Fig: 16: Nikunau copra production against Beru production

Source: National Statistics Office 2005
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