Stories From Kiribati

The trainee had been visiting the home of the missionary for the bible lessons. He usually arrived before 12, then after the lessons with the missionary, he waited for lunch. He then went off after the meal.

The missionary’s wife spoke out, “Did he come here to learn the bible or for the food?”

“Please, stop saying that. Show love and kindness,” missionary replied.

The wife agreed and tried to feel okay. However, the trainee kept ...

One day, on one of the outer islands, the police constable alerted the villagers of the tsunami. He rode his bicycle through the villages and for every distance of 100 meters or so, he had to shout from the road.

“Tsunami is expected today at around 2:00 pm. Prepare and get ready!” shouted the constable from his bicycle.

An elderly woman was busy cleaning around her retail store. When she heard the announcement, she instantly thought ‘tsunami’ was...

The word ‘itera’ is the local name for the special type of flower garland that consists of two layers. The top layer is made of green plant leaves while the bottom layer has colored flowers. The core use of this particular type of garland is for decorating and making a person look decent during formal and informal social gatherings. It has been an important device and its presence seems to not only for expressing the beauty and excitement but also for signifying the honour and imp...

N te moaningabong teuana ao e tekateka temanna te aine (50+ ana ririki) iaon ana kiakia ae mena i tanrio. E a ti nora naba te kaibuke are e tabe n rororake n te nama. E na tabwara ao kai are e a takaruaa naba raoraona (te unaine) are e mena n te auti are irarikia, “Neiko, ko boni karauko ao kai e a roko te kaibuke aei!”

E aki manga kabanetai neiere saunaine (are e tabe n taawai ana ben) ma e a manga takaarua n titiraki, “Ao e burouti ke e aki?”

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Before the arrival of foreign items into Kiribati, we had our own traditional ball which we could make from the leaves of the coconut or pandanus trees. Using dry pandanus leaves instead of coconut leaflets will end up with a larger ball because pandanus leaves are longer and wider. We could make either a small or bigger one depending on the size preferences. If we prefer a bigger ball, then it’s important to use more leaflets. The more leaflets used in weaving, the bigger the final bal...

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When I was young I thought of education

Peers at school doing their study

I wished to go abroad

As a teenager I experienced the new world

Differ from my culture and people

The wisdom from western education

Changed my style and living

Far beyond as I familiar with

Today it seems as thousands ahead

Like tourists when visited and left

My beloved island.

When out noble old men shared

Their wise decision seated at

...

(IANGOAN TIRINGAKIN MATARI)

Ngke e euta atuna Matari ao e a noora Bakoa, are e tekateka ni kaitaraa. E a toki raoi ngkai nanon Matari bwa e a bon tibwa itaramata ma Bakoa are e a boongata arana inanon taningana mani uarerekena. Akea te kakarongoa ngkai a tabe moa uaakai ni kamwataua tarakiia i bon irouia.

Ai tera te mwaneaba aio n te tai aei? E onrake nanona ao tinanikuna irouia kaain Moone bwa kaitaraan ao kan noran te roko aio. A boni babane kaain marawa ni moa mai irouia bakoa ...

At Kiebu on Makin, there lived a man called Nang Keneia. The people of Kiebu at that time, occasionally went to Butaritari to attend the dancing festival. After preparing all that was required and needed, people had to wait for the day of the trip.

When the day came, the people got onto the ‘baurua’ (big sailing canoe) which would take them to Butaritari. The canoe went on its first then second trip taking many people there, however Nang Keneia hardly care of the commotion.

(KAITIBON MATARI MA BAKOA)

I mwiin te tai ae aki rangi ni maan, ao akea bwa a manga otirake mai taari n te tabo teuana ike e a mena te aba i etaia. E iabuti te tabo are a otirake iai ao man aki toko waeia, aingaia are a uauarake riki teutana ni kaea eta. Ngke a toko waeia ma aontano ao a nakonako ni karaurau rinanon taian rawarawa ake a mena imwaaia. E rimoa kaain taari ao man taorimwiaki iroun Matari.

Ma ai aki akora bwaai ake a tauraoi ao mani wene n tataninga inanon taian rawar...