Niulakita
| Niulakita | |
|---|---|
| Reef Island | |
  Niulakita | |
| Coordinates: 10°45′S 179°30′E / 10.750°S 179.500°ECoordinates: 10°45′S 179°30′E / 10.750°S 179.500°E | |
| Country | Tuvalu |
| Elevation | 4.6 m (15.1 ft) |
| Population (2002) | |
| • Total | 35 |
Niulakita is the southernmost reef island, which is a district of Tuvalu, and the name of the only village on this island. Its population is 35 inhabitants. The residents of Niulakita have moved to the island from Niutao. Niulakita is represented in the Parliament of Tuvalu by the members of the constituency of Niutao. Niulakita has a population (2002 census) of 35.
Geographical features
Niulakita consists of one island.[1][2] There are four ponds or lakes and the village has a maneaba (a village hall or community hall) in Tuvalu. There is one on each isle and they serve meeting and recreational functions as well. The isle has an oval outline, with the longer axis running east-west (about 1 km long). This island features highest point of Tuvalu ( 4.6 metres (15 ft) above sea level). A fringing reef surrounds the whole island, which makes local fishing and transport into and out of the island difficult.
Historical background
The discovery Niulakita is claimed by travellers from Nui, lead by Kaunatu who was taking people home to Vaitupu, however their canoe drifted off course to the south and they arrived at Niulakita. There was only saltbrush (Atriplex) and pukavai trees (Pisonia grandis) on the islands. Kaeula, one of the passengers, died and was buried with the last of their coconuts planted at the head of his grave. The island was named by Kaunatu after a place of that name on Nui.[3]
The first sighting recorded by Europeans of Niukalita was on the 29 August 1595 by the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña during his second expedition encountered Niulakita. The island was charted as La Solitaria (Lonesome in Spanish).[4][5][6] An attempt was made to find a port with two small vessels in its southern part but the bottom was uneven and rocky and they desisted.[7]
In 1821 Captain George Barrett, in the Nantucket whaler Independence II, visited Niulakita, which he named Rocky (Group).[5] This name was never much used, but Independence Island, after Barrett's ship, was one of the several names which came into general use for Niulakita during the 19th century. Niulakita was also known as Sophia.
In about 1879 the elders of Vaitupu were interested in Niulakita and send a working party to plant coconuts on the island.[8] However in 1880 they were informed that J. C. Godeffroy und Sohn of Hamburg (operating out of Samoa) claimed ownership of the island.[8] Notwithstanding this claim in 1884 the Vaitupu elders transferred their claim to Niulakita to H. M. Ruge and Company, a German trading firm that operated from Apia, for $400 in part payment of a debt of $13,000 to Ruge & Co.[9] Ruge & Co became insolvent in about 1888. On 15 April 1889 Niulakita was sold for $1,000 to Mr H. J. Moors, an American citizen living in Apia, Samoa.[8] On 16 September 1896 Captain Gibson R.N., of HMS Curacoa, recorded in his journal that six men and six women, natives of various islands, were living on Niulakita working for Moors. Captain Gibson determined that the island was not under American protection so he hoisted the Union Jack and delivered the flag, with a copy of the Declaration of British Protectorate, to the headman of the working party.[8][10]
It was bought by the United Kingdom in 1944, so that Niutaoans could move to Niulakita. Niulakita was uninhabited in 1949 when it was settled with emigrants from Niutao, which was considered to be overpopulated.
The United States asserted a claim to Niulakita under the Guano Islands Act of 1856, this claim was renounced under the 1983 treaty of friendship between Tuvalu and the United States.[11]
Education
Niulakita's junior school is Lotoalofa Primary School.
See also
References
- ↑ Map of Niulakita. Tuvaluislands.com.
- ↑ British Admiralty Nautical Chart 766 Ellice Islands. United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO). Publication Date: 21/03/1872 (Ed. 1893).
- ↑ Sotaga Pape, Hugh Laracy (ed.) (1983). "Chapter 10 – Nui". Tuvalu: A History. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu. p. 77.
- ↑ Maude, Islands and Men: Studies in Pacific History, Melbourne: Oxford University Press (1986) p.307
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Keith S. Chambers & Doug Munro, The Mystery of Gran Cocal: European Discovery and Mis-Discovery in Tuvalu, 89(2) (1980) The Journal of the Polynesian Society, 167-198
- ↑ Laumua Kofe, Palagi and Pastors, Tuvalu: A History, Ch. 15, (U.S.P./Tuvalu)
- ↑ Maude, H.E. Spanish discoveries in the Central Pacific. A study in identification Journal of the Polynesian Society, Wellington, LXVIII, 1959, pp.306,307.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Te Atu Tuvalu: A short history of the Ellice Islands. 67 (4) Journal of the Polynesian Society. 1958. pp. 196–197.
- ↑ Kalaaki Laupepa, Hugh Laracy (ed.) (1983). "Chapter 11 – Vaitupu". Tuvalu: A History. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu. p. 78.
- ↑ "The ‘Ownership’ of Niulakita, 1880-1896". Tuvalu: A History. Institute of Pacific Studies, University of the South Pacific and Government of Tuvalu. 1983. pp. 196–197.
- ↑ "DOI Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) – FORMERLY DISPUTED ISLANDS". Doi.gov. Retrieved 15 Sep 2009.
External links
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