Rurutu

The island of Rurutu was formerly known as ‘Eteroa. Its current name, Rurutu, is believed to come from the expression “Rurutu tū noa, i te ono ‘ae.” According to oral tradition, Rurutu tū noa was the name of the war spear of a warrior called ‘Iro i te Pū Manatū, originally from Oropa'a, who is said to have landed on the island around the mid-13th century. Symbolically, it refers to a weapon as formidable and spontaneous as a furious barracuda in pursuit, derived from the Tahitian words ruru (“to gather”), tū (“together” or “to stand”), noa (“spontaneously”), ono (“barracuda”), and ‘ae (“furious”). == Geography ==

Topography The volcanic island of Rurutu is located 150 km east of Rimatara, the nearest island, and 572 km south of Tahiti. Measuring about 10 km in length and 3 km at its maximum width, it covers an area of 32.3 km². It is surrounded by a fringing reef (but has no lagoon) and reaches its highest point at Mount Manureva, which rises to 385 meters. It lies slightly north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Geology Rurutu’s geology is unique. The island was formed about 12 million years ago by the Macdonald hotspot. Over more than 10 million years, its subsidence led to the formation of an atoll. However, just over a million years ago, the island passed over a second hotspot, Mount Arago (''Te Tuana'i), which uplifted it by an additional 150 meters. Today, the island is irregularly surrounded by cliffs of raised coral, making it a makatea'', riddled with caves lined with mineral formations. Three peaks resulted from these geological movements: Ta'atio'e (389 m), Manureva (398 m), and Teapei (369 m). They surround the Tetuanui plateau, which serves as an orchard and still hosts subsistence crops. Climate The climate is subtropical oceanic, dominated by easterly trade winds. From January to March, rainfall is heavy and nearly daily. == History ==

Polynesian settlement Between the 10th and 13th centuries, Austronesian navigators from the west—known as the “'Āti Aairi,” and said in oral tradition to have come from Tonga—arrived on Rurutu, landing in the district of Peva. These early inhabitants eventually spread across the entire island. In the mid-13th century, a first incursion by the Oropa'a people occurred. They came from “Avai” (in Samoa), “Mairerua” (from Maupiti), and “Aunui” (possibly Huahine), then from Ra'ivavae. They were led by 'Iro i te Pū Manatū. Defeated, he returned to Ra'ivavae but left some of his companions behind on the island; they became known as the 'Āti Pa'a. In the mid-15th century, Tupa'ea and his group, the ''Te manu 'ura'', also Oropa'a from Raivavae, arrived via Tubuai. Once again defeated, they continued on to Rimatara; some returned to Tubuai, while others remained on Rurutu. Finally, at the very beginning of the 16th century, Toamiriura came from Tubuai and settled on Rurutu, taking a local woman as his partner. After a dispute with his father-in-law over a fishing matter, he called for help from his relatives in Tubuai. Ro'opuipuina, his father and chief of the Tanete'e (of the Oropa'a), and Taneuapoto, chief of the 'Ura, arrived and massacred the Aairi, the island’s original inhabitants. According to Aairi accounts, the defeated people attempted to return to their ancestral lands at Tongatapu, but winds and currents carried them instead to New Zealand. This marked the beginning of tribal wars on Rurutu, which continued until the mid-18th century, when the 'Ura of Vitaria defeated the Tanete'e of Avera in the Aupoiri cave, located on the land of Ana a'eo. The most significant ancient site explored on the island is Vitaria, located on the northeast coast between Avera and the airstrip. Discovery by Europeans The first recorded sighting of the island by a European was by the British explorer James Cook, who discovered it on August 13, 1769, but was unable to land due to difficult coastal conditions and what appeared to be a hostile attitude from the inhabitants. While France established its protectorate over the Kingdom of Tahiti in 1842, after taking control of the Marquesas Islands, Rurutu remained independent until 1889. That year marked the beginning of French protection over the Austral Islands, followed by official annexation in 1900. With the creation of communes in French Polynesia in 1972, Toromona Teuruarii, a traditional chief and descendant of the royal families, became the first mayor of Rurutu. During this period, the island experienced development, including the construction of a ring road and cross-island routes connecting its three villages. This growth was partly driven by population increases and migration from Makatea in the Tuamotu, Papeete, and Nouméa. ==Administration==

The commune of Rurutu consists of the island of Rurutu, and is subdivided into the following associated communes: • Avera • Hauti • Moerai == Economy ==

Rurutu is well known in French Polynesia for its craftsmanship, especially basket weaving and the use of pandanus fiber, which provides significant income for many families on the island. Agriculture and fishing remain largely subsistence-based (notably with taro grown in collective plantations). Tourism is beginning to develop. In recent years, Rurutu has become known as the “island of whales.” From July to October, whales come to breed just offshore, attracting an international clientele. The island’s authenticity, preserved culture, white sand beaches—Naairoa, Avera, and Arei—its tropical flora, and its caves now attract visitors year-round. The island has an airstrip with a runway 1,400 meters long, supporting connections with the rest of Polynesia and the growth of tourism. On average, it handles about 600 flights and 18,000 to 22,000 passengers per year, about a quarter of whom are in transit. == Culture ==

Language The language spoken on Rurutu is a variant of the Austral languages, called reo Rurutu, which is quite different from Tahitian. French is the official language there, as it is throughout French Polynesia. In 2020–2021, the island’s schools experimented with a bilingual education project in which reo Rurutu and French were taught in equal time in kindergarten and primary classes. Traditions Each year in January, the Tere takes place, a kind of pilgrimage during which the population circles the island on foot or horseback while recounting ancestral legends. The island is known for the worship of the god A'a, whose statue discovered on Rurutu is now kept at the British Museum in London. ==Notable people==

• Teuruarii IV, last king of Rurutu ==See also==