The Vaka started in the island of Savaii, Samoa where the idea of it was originally created by two brothers, who never lived to see her completed.One of the very first people to voyage from Hawaikiraro (in Samoa) to Hawaikirunga, was Rauru (Laulu). He had 3 sons. The oldest, Atonga, was the chief of Sava'ii. The other 2 sons were Olokeu and Olonaino. Now, both brothers had wanted to leave Samoa and the only way was by building a vaka. Though they both wanted to rule like Atonga, the only way of doing that was to kill their successful tuakana, and that wasn't possible.
So both brothers secretly planned to build their Vaka and travel across the seas. Atonga knew this, and secretly supported their plan. They began their creation by going into Rata's sacred forest on the South Coast of Savai'i and began to cut down the trees to build Oleva'afaupo. It means canoe built in the night.
Unfortunately, both Olokeu and Olonaino were killed in a skirmish between two other rivals in the Rata forest as they were dragging Oleva’afaupo out. Atonga found the Vaka in the area where his brothers were killed and in their memory, ordered to have it brought back to shore so that it could be completed.
It was from here, the vaka was then given it's second name: Manualele. It means birds in flight.
3. Teporioavaiki
Once completed, Atonga presented the vaka to his son Alutanganuku (Nuku) and with the new ownership of this beautiful vaka, Alutanganuku changed it's name to Teporioavaiki. He sailed across the ocean and visited Tonga, Fiji and Rotuma before returning once more to Samoa.
4. Foloauloaifiti - Long Trip To Fiji
Alutanganuku had a son named Alutangatalangi, and he then visited Fiji on the vaka. On returning home, the vaka's name was changed once again to Foloauloaifiti. It meant the long trip to Fiji.
5. Tunamoevai - Eel Asleep Under Water
The years went on and Alutangalangi had a son of his own named Ka'ukula. He travelled to Fiji and from there made his way to Penrhyn Island. On his return home, he saw that the seams of the vaka were slowly opening, so he submerged it at the mouth of a stream and this is where it received it's 5th name Tunamoevai. It means eel asleep under water.
6. Numiau - Diversity Of Ocean Currents
Ka'ukula later travelled to Takutea in the Cook Islands and stayed there. His son, Mauraiki visited the 15 islands including Tonga and Fiji, before returning to Savai'i. The vaka then took it's 6th name, Numiau. Maruariki's son Uenga/Tangiiariki became chief of Tahiti and inherited the vaka, butrelinquished both the chieftainship and vaka to his son, Apa.
The Numiau came into the possession of Tangiia, son of Tupa Ki Avaiki. Grandson of Ka'ukula. After a disupte, he was driven away from Tahiti and whilst out recruiting an army to fight back, he left the vaka with his sister Rakanui. Tangiia had a cousin Tutapu, who wanted to take the vaka for himself. Tutapu killed Tangiia's sons, friends and seized the chieftainship of Tahiti.
7. Te Tikaatetuafafine -The Sisters Good Advice
Fortunately, the sister of Tutapu, Ironuimaoata, helped Tangiia and advised him to leave Tahiti to settle on Rarotonga. As all his sons had been killed, Tangiia adopted Iromaoata's son, Arikiupokotini.
From there, Tangiia's sister Ranginui returned the Numiau vaka to her brother who then named it Te Tikaatetuafafine. It means the sister's good advice. He then began his mission to recruit followers to Porapora, Rurutu, and Papanui/Rimatara.
8. Takipu - Challenge, Skilled Person(s)
In total, Tangiia found 200 men and women who were willing to join him to go to Rarotonga. He also met a great fighter and navigator, Karika, and persuaded him to offer both his warriors and valuable canoe.
To commemorate this, Tangiia then named the vaka Takipu. 'Taki' means challenge and 'Pu' means skilled person or wise one.
9. Takitumu - Lifted Burden
Finally, at Vaikokopu, the eastern coast of Rarotonga, Tangiia and his following established sacred meeting places. They also appointed guardians for those spots. Tangiias adopted son, Arikiupokotini, was marked as the Ariki of Ngai Tangiia.
Karika went to the northwestern side of Rarotonga and established both his people, and himself there before going to visit Tangiia. As they celebrated the renewal of their friendship, the enemy Tutapu arrived from Tahiti and attacked Vaikokopu.
In the end, Tutapu and his people were defeated and Tangiia killed him. This marked the end of this conflict, and Tangiia named the southern district of Rarotonga, Takitumu.
'Taki' means to lift and 'Tumu' is the enduring part inside of the coconut palm tree which can withstand storms/hurricanes. It is known as the burden.
By announcing "Takitumu", Tangiia was saying "the burden has been lifted".
This is also the final name given to the vaka - Vaka Takitumu.
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References:
Tama Huata, Takitimu Festival Executive Director | Te Waka O Takitimu
Mere Whaanga Author of: A Carved Cloak For Tahu: A history of Ngai Tahu Matawhaiti (Takitumu Storyline)
Unknown Author: https://www.lonelyplanet.com/rarotonga-and-the-cook-islands/rarotonga/history
S. Percy Smith - "Tangiia & Tutapu" story
Unknown Author - "Takitumu"
R. G. Crocombe - Author of: Land Tenure In The Cook Islands - Takitumu: The Tribe Of Tangiia"
Ngati Pahauwera Affidavit - Tama Huata statement
Story of Takitumu
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