A woven mat lies on the ground on top of another woven mat.

Rotuma

Rotuma Island is part of the Rotuma Group, which includes several smaller islands in the South Pacific Ocean, around 650 kilometres north of Fiji.

In 1881, Rotuma officially ceded to the United Kingdom and became part of the British Empire as part of the Colony of Fiji. It is now a self-governing dependency of Fiji after its independence in 1970. The Rotuma Group is divided into seven districts, each with its own chief.

Acquisitions: ‘apei and monuma from Rotuma

In 2021, we acquired a Rotuman ‘apei sala (white mat) and monuma (blouse) for the Pacific Cultures collections. Then Curator Pacific Cultures Dr Rachel Yates reflects on the acquisition.

Sepia image of 15 people sitting on flax mats under trees

Fakpeje: Mạnu’ ne kav ta

‘Amnäk ne gasav ne fäeag Rotuạm ta, la a‘pumuạ‘ạkia fäegat ne hele‘uen la peak pạu ‘e laloag ne rän te‘. Jacki Leota-Mua ne garue ‘e Te Papa ma kạutạunạ‘iạg Rotuạm ne Niusirạgi (NZRF group), hö‘ạkia ‘os a‘häe se ‘os ‘ạtmot ta Rotuma, ne fu sousou ‘e Fiti la hạila‘oag ma mäel tarạu fol ma saghul (500kms). ‘Oris ‘amnạki la sạkiroa rere ne foh kav fak Rotuma.

Rotuma

Acquisitions: ‘apei and monuma from Rotuma

Fakpeje: Mạnu’ ne kav ta

Rotuma’s kava ceremony

Little-known lives: Rotumans in 19th-century Aotearoa New Zealand

Rotuma in our collections