Niuatoputapu, meaning sacred island, is an island in the island nation of Tonga, Pacific Ocean. It is located in the north of the country, 300 km away from Vavau near the border with Sāmoa. Its closest neighbour is the small island of Tafahi, only 9 km towards the north-northeast. There is an airport in Niuatoputapu, Mataaho airport, which is designated to accept international flights. The population of Niuatoputapu is about 1200. The inhabitants spoke formerly the Niuatoputapu language, but it has now been extinct for centuries. Now the inhabitants speak Tongan. Nevertheless Sāmoan, Uvean and Futunan elements can be noticed.

Older names for the island are Traitors island or Keppel island.

Geography

Niuatoputapu consists primarily of three villages: Hihifo (meaning "west" in Tongan), Vaipoa, and Falehau. Hihifo is the largest village, and, as its name suggests, lies in the west of the island. It contains the majority of the governmental facilities of the island, including the post office, telecommunications, police station and a high school (there are primary schools in all 3 villages). Vaipoa lies in the middle of the island. To the east is Falehau, which contains Niuatoputapu's port.

History

Niuatoputapu was put on the European maps by Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire during their famous circumnavigation of the globe in their ship the Eendracht (Unity) in 1616. After successful bartering with the inhabitants of Tafahi, but not finding a suitable anchorage there, they proceeded to its neighbour. There their reception was less peaceful. Natives boarded their ship and attacked the Dutch with clubs, until they found out what muskets were and could do. After that an uneasy truce existed, enabling the barter of more coconuts, ubes roots (probably ufi (yam)), hogs and water. A 'king' of the island came along, but not on board. "He was equally naked with all the rest", only distinguishable by the respect the islanders paid to him. The next day the Dutch felt that something was in the air, and indeed when the king came again along he suddenly ordered his people into an attack. There were about 700 to 800 of them in 23 double canoes and 45 single canoes. But the Dutch fired their muskets and 3 canons, and the islanders then quickly made themselves scarce. Schouten and LeMaire continued their westwards trip, leaving Verraders (Traitors) island behind.

References

• Robert Kerr (1824): Voyage round the world, in 1615-1617, by William Cornelison Schouten and Jacques le Maire, going round Cape Horn.
• E.W. Gifford; Tongan myths and tales, BPB Bulletin 8; 1924