Information AboutTikopia |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TIKOPIA | |
| islands of the solomon islands | |
| polynesian outliers | |
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Tikopia is a High Island , covering an area of 5 km² (2 sq. mi.). The island is the remnant of an extinct Volcano , its highest point, Mt. Reani, reaching an elevation of 380 m (1,247 ft) above Sea Level . The population of Tikopia is about 1,200. Historically the tiny island has supported a high-density population of a thousand or so. Strict reproductive policy prevented further increase. Unlike most of the Solomon Islands, the inhabitants are Polynesians , and their language Tikopian is a member of the Samoic branch of the Polynesian Languages . Tikopians practice an intensive Permaculture system similar in principle to Forest Garden ing, and the gardens of the New Guinea highlands. Their agricultural practices are strongly and consciously tied to the population density. For example, around 1600, they all agreed to remove pigs from their gardens, and substitute fishing, because the pigs were taking too much food that could be eaten by people. Unlike the rapidly westernizing society of much of the rest of Temotu province, Tikopia society is little-changed from ancient times. Its people take great pride in their customs, and see themselves as holding fast to their traditions while they regard the Melanesians around them to have lost most of theirs. Four chiefs reign over the islands of Tikopia and Anuta. The chiefs still hold court in their huts. Tikopians have a highly developed culture with a strong Polynesian influence, including a complex social structure. The influence of Polynesian culture is not so far distant from local memory: it has not been so long since widespread Infanticide was considered as natural and as necessary as sharing food and learning to dance. Aside from this unpleasantness, Tikopian society was idyllic: nobody was cold, nobody was hungry, nobody was lonely. Its society was strongly communal: the sea was full of fish, the land grew excellent food, and the people supported one another. for Infanticide . The most common method was the deliberate blocking of the infant's nasal passages by an adult's fingers. Today, Firth's "cult of virginity" is long since past into oblivion. While the reasons for this might be regarded as due to a cultural shift due to the introduction and widespread acceptance of or the national capital, Honiara , in search of work. As a result of this outflow of men, only one in three girls will find a husband should she choose to remain on the island. Vegetation and human settlements in Tikopia were devastated following Cyclone Zoe 's landfall in December 2002 . Surprisingly, despite the extensive damage, no deaths were reported. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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