"I really love Mauke because it's quiet, very peaceful and the lifestyle is laid back and slow. There are no flashing lights and fancy tall buildings. It's all natural and everything is basically there. All a person needs...is to know how to live off the land and sea and all that it provides."
These are the words of Marcel Teraimana Tua who's lived most of his life in Mauke, where many of his family still live. He's currently studying in New Zealand and hopes to use his studies to help his fellow islanders when he returns home. All of the pictures on this page are his and I'm grateful for his permission to share them with you. Not only are they superb photographs, they also capture the beauty and essense of the Cook Islands people - something I fell in love with on my first visit to the islands. To really appreciate the photos, click on any picture to open a larger version.
Above (left to right): Plantations provide food for island familes, Some of Marcel's colourful cousins,
Fishing in the harbour - part of Maukean lifestyle
Fishing in the harbour - part of Maukean lifestyle
The people of Mauke enjoy life, as Marcel explains about the picture on the left....
"Occassions such as this are always fun...mamas singing and entertaining guests, with long tables of food prepared for people to eat. The mamas beating the drum and strumming on the guitar with their head eis (leis)... it was just all beautiful, the smiling faces and swaying hips...all just wonderful to be a part of"
"Occassions such as this are always fun...mamas singing and entertaining guests, with long tables of food prepared for people to eat. The mamas beating the drum and strumming on the guitar with their head eis (leis)... it was just all beautiful, the smiling faces and swaying hips...all just wonderful to be a part of"
Religion is very important to Cook Islanders and in Mauke, the majority of people are Roman Catholics. "Pure" means to pray or prayer. Pictured right are dancers from Kimiangatau village performing during the centenary celebrations of the Catholic religion on Mauke
Marcel says: "Going to church was always good for us, our elders would say, and I must agree. It has helped me spiritually gain confidence in what I can achieve for myself, and to cope with the modern world at large"
Through the eyes of an islander
POINTERS TO PARADISE:
MORE MAUKE MAUKE VIDEO RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
MORE MAUKE MAUKE VIDEO RAROTONGA SITE MAP HOME SURPRISE ME!
OR FIND YOUR OWN PIECE OF PARADISE USING THE MENU ON THE LEFT
