State of Abemama
 | This article relies largely or entirely on a single source. (February 2025) |
Kingdom of Abemama | |||||||
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| 1795–1892 | |||||||
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| Capital | Abemama | ||||||
| Demonym(s) | Abemaman (or Apemaman) | ||||||
| Government | Monarchy | ||||||
| History | |||||||
• Established | 1795 | ||||||
• Disestablished | 1892 | ||||||
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The State of Abemama, also known as the Kingdom of Abemama, was a precolonial polity in the Gilbert Islands. It consisted of Abemama, Kuria, and Aranuka. The State of Abemama was ruled by Tuangaona, a Gilbertese clan, for four generations before the United Kingdom annexed the Gilberts in 1892. It was the last independent Gilbertese state before the British protectorate.
History
[edit]Background
[edit]Tuangaona is an utu (clan) of Abemama. It is named for the birthplace of its legendary patriarch, Tetabo, a powerful aintoa (giant) who was the first warrior to unite Abemama. Everything about him is drawn from oral tradition; the Gilbertese did not have writing before European contact. Tetabo was the grandson of Mwea, an I-Beru warrior who settled on Abemama before the wars of Kaitu and Uekaia. Tetabo married Beiarung – the great-granddaughter of I-Butaritari nobleman Mangkia, who migrated during the wars – uniting the two most prominent families on Abemama.
Although he earned the gratitude of the I-Abemama for defeating an I-Tarawa raiding party, Tetabo was later exiled because of his propensity for war. In his final years, Tetabo quietly returned to his lands. However, his sons took control of Abemama with their victories at Terianiboti and Kaeaki. Led by Tetabo's eldest son, Namoriki, Tuangaona conquered the neighboring islands of Kuria and Aranuka.
Early years
[edit]Karotu, the son of Namoriki, was the first member of Tuangaona to consolidate their power and be recognized as uea (king). He established the polity Europeans referred to as the State of Abemama, or the Kingdom of Abemama.
In 1882, contact with the British was made, most notably Robert Louis Stevenson,[1] who was a friend of Binoka. Shortly after this interaction, Abemama gave up its sovereignty and was declared as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate. British control over the atoll was only in name, as Abemama kept its traditional monarchy as its high chief, like many other atolls in the region.[citation needed]
Before Binoka ascended to the throne of the kingdom, the population of Abemama and the surrounding atolls were far greater than what they are today. However, due to Binoka's "extreme cruelty", the population was greatly reduced.[1]
As Binoka grew older, he realised he would not have a son of his own. Therefore, he adopted Bauro.[1] At the adoption ceremony, the feet of the child were cut in order to release the Rang or labor class blood. Shortly after Bauro was adopted, Binoka died, and his brother Timon acted as a regent for the young Bauro. Once Bauro was on the throne, he reigned over an uneventful period.[citation needed]
Once Bauro died, his son Tekinaiti was the heir, and served as king until 1944, when a minority movement began in Abemama to have him renounce his position in favor of Taburimai. The reason behind the movement was that Tekinaiti failed to interest himself in the welfare of his subjects and had acted in a manner that did not command respect.[1]