THE 'DESECRATION' OF TOKELAU KINSHIP

Abstract

The Tokelau term whose meaning most closely approximates that of incest is holi k?iga.{1) The term is a compound one, with a clear and straightforward derivation which is used by most Tokelauans who are asked for an explanation of its meaning. Holi means 'to tread' in the sense of treading upon something, and also 'to desecrate' or 'violate'. K?iga in its broadest sense means 'kinship'. It is not, however, only improper sexual unions which 'desecrate kinship'. Holi k?iga may be applied to any relatively serious breach of ordered kin relationships such as when children or those of a junior generation openly flout the authority of seniors or when members of a kinship group disobey a leader. It is to sexual contacts between kinsmen, however, that the term most commonly refers.(2) Tokelau explanations of the term invariably take as the archetypal 'desecration' a sexual relationship between full siblings of the opposite sex, which is seen as an act which would violate k?iga in all its interrelated senses, the family, the kin group and the whole system of ordered relation ships between kinsmen which are explicitly patterned on sibling relation 1. The term p?vale, said by some to be the ancient or true Tokelau word, is also used on occasion. Most Tokelauans, however, are uncertain about its precise meaning. 2. The three small atolls of the Tokelau group, Fakaofo, Nukunonu and Atafu, are approximately 300 miles to the north of Samoa. At one time they formed part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony, but New Zealand has been responsible for the administration of the group since 1925. The population in 1974 was approxi mately 1600. During the 1860s the islands were missionised by both the Marist Mission and the London Missionary Society, and were heavily depopulated by slave traders. About 2000 Tokelauans now live in New Zealand.