Banaban Identity - Banaban Voice2024-03-28T15:57:13Zhttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/forum/topics/banaban-identity?commentId=2211587%3AComment%3A74857&feed=yes&xn_auth=noThis is getting interesting o…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-23:2211587:Comment:770752011-01-23T22:41:20.703ZTakaniko Kaitetara Ruabetehttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/TakanikoKaitetaraRuabete
This is getting interesting ones again so allow me to make some remarks. My first one is that we should never forget that according to our Banaban customs we are both patrimony and matriarchy so whether we have one parent of non-Banaban descent is irrelevant you are still a Banaban if you choose to be one from your Banaban parent. My other comment is our uniqness as Banabans and Banaban landowners. Come to think of it we Banabans are not only landowners on our belowed Banaba but also all over…
This is getting interesting ones again so allow me to make some remarks. My first one is that we should never forget that according to our Banaban customs we are both patrimony and matriarchy so whether we have one parent of non-Banaban descent is irrelevant you are still a Banaban if you choose to be one from your Banaban parent. My other comment is our uniqness as Banabans and Banaban landowners. Come to think of it we Banabans are not only landowners on our belowed Banaba but also all over Kiribati. Tarawa itself is full of Banaban landowners. There is not a single island in Kiribati that Banabans does not own land on. Quite interesting, don't you think...<br/><br/><cite>Patrick Nabong said:</cite>
<blockquote><div><p>Hi Bro if youre loooking into the phyisical attributes of classifying a Banaban that will be a hard one dont you think for eg. if a person have a european father and a Banaban woman for a mother and the said person have all european traits is that person Banaban or European.</p>
<p>If the said person have all these traits but is well versed in Banaban culture and traditions what do you think than is he Banaban or European . Food for thought.</p>
<p>WEll dont you think that it all comes down to roots and knowledge of culture and living the life as a traditional Banaban.Your identity is the way of Life and how you go about it according to the norms of your tradition and culture taught by your ancestors from generation to the next the Banaban way but the way is dying why its no longer practised where its applicable in the Maneaba. Who to blame.</p>
<p>If the RCL can set up a Cultural Bureau <br/><br/><cite>Itinteang said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Thanks bro, I do know my ancestry. I just wanted to know what differentiates Banabans from other races. Anyway I am begining to get an idea from the replies and ideas given through this discussions.</p>
<p>Regards.</p>
<p> <br/><cite>Patrick Nabong said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div>To know if you are Banaban is to first know your ancestry line or Te riki it does not matter either paternal or maternal you have to dig in first to find your roots and this is and issue that is under dispute at the moment and regarding other matters like language is beyond any so called Banaban cause factors beyond our powers is at work like for eg. Migration of other races in to our shores here on Banaba,WW2,mixed marriges.We all know like u do to that there was and still some rudiments of our so called language still in exisistence. And thus knowing your roots will clarify your existence and identity.WE are the only race on this earth that cherish and uphold female values in which the female takes her mate to her kainga why because they are life providers in regards to water provision and u have to be in Banaba to feel Banaban like i do. regards.</div>
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</blockquote> Hi Bro if youre loooking into…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-14:2211587:Comment:748572011-01-14T01:58:09.730ZPatrick Nabonghttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/PatrickNabong
<p>Hi Bro if youre loooking into the phyisical attributes of classifying a Banaban that will be a hard one dont you think for eg. if a person have a european father and a Banaban woman for a mother and the said person have all european traits is that person Banaban or European.</p>
<p>If the said person have all these traits but is well versed in Banaban culture and traditions what do you think than is he Banaban or European . Food for thought.</p>
<p>WEll dont you think that it all comes down…</p>
<p>Hi Bro if youre loooking into the phyisical attributes of classifying a Banaban that will be a hard one dont you think for eg. if a person have a european father and a Banaban woman for a mother and the said person have all european traits is that person Banaban or European.</p>
<p>If the said person have all these traits but is well versed in Banaban culture and traditions what do you think than is he Banaban or European . Food for thought.</p>
<p>WEll dont you think that it all comes down to roots and knowledge of culture and living the life as a traditional Banaban.Your identity is the way of Life and how you go about it according to the norms of your tradition and culture taught by your ancestors from generation to the next the Banaban way but the way is dying why its no longer practised where its applicable in the Maneaba. Who to blame.</p>
<p>If the RCL can set up a Cultural Bureau <br/><br/><cite>Itinteang said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Thanks bro, I do know my ancestry. I just wanted to know what differentiates Banabans from other races. Anyway I am begining to get an idea from the replies and ideas given through this discussions.</p>
<p>Regards.</p>
<p> <br/><cite>Patrick Nabong said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div>To know if you are Banaban is to first know your ancestry line or Te riki it does not matter either paternal or maternal you have to dig in first to find your roots and this is and issue that is under dispute at the moment and regarding other matters like language is beyond any so called Banaban cause factors beyond our powers is at work like for eg. Migration of other races in to our shores here on Banaba,WW2,mixed marriges.We all know like u do to that there was and still some rudiments of our so called language still in exisistence. And thus knowing your roots will clarify your existence and identity.WE are the only race on this earth that cherish and uphold female values in which the female takes her mate to her kainga why because they are life providers in regards to water provision and u have to be in Banaba to feel Banaban like i do. regards.</div>
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</blockquote> Hi Arita,
No one is denying t…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-14:2211587:Comment:748562011-01-14T01:39:05.010ZPatrick Nabonghttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/PatrickNabong
<p>Hi Arita,</p>
<p>No one is denying their I-Kiribati identity but dont get swayed from the facts surronding this dicussion its about being Banaban but thank u for reminding us anway cheers <br></br><br></br><cite>ARITA NATHAN said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Discover your Banaban identity but don't deny your I-Kiribati identity....because it also runs in your blood veins! Learn to respect what you become now.....Appreciate and cherish both of them.....without them we are…</p>
</div>
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<p>Hi Arita,</p>
<p>No one is denying their I-Kiribati identity but dont get swayed from the facts surronding this dicussion its about being Banaban but thank u for reminding us anway cheers <br/><br/><cite>ARITA NATHAN said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Discover your Banaban identity but don't deny your I-Kiribati identity....because it also runs in your blood veins! Learn to respect what you become now.....Appreciate and cherish both of them.....without them we are nothing!</p>
</div>
</blockquote> Thanks bro, I do know my ance…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-07:2211587:Comment:749702011-01-07T04:26:10.744ZItinteanghttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/Greg
<p>Thanks bro, I do know my ancestry. I just wanted to know what differentiates Banabans from other races. Anyway I am begining to get an idea from the replies and ideas given through this discussions.</p>
<p>Regards.</p>
<p> <br></br><cite>Patrick Nabong said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div>To know if you are Banaban is to first know your ancestry line or Te riki it does not matter either paternal or maternal you have to dig in first to find your roots and this is and issue that is under dispute at…</div>
</blockquote>
<p>Thanks bro, I do know my ancestry. I just wanted to know what differentiates Banabans from other races. Anyway I am begining to get an idea from the replies and ideas given through this discussions.</p>
<p>Regards.</p>
<p> <br/><cite>Patrick Nabong said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div>To know if you are Banaban is to first know your ancestry line or Te riki it does not matter either paternal or maternal you have to dig in first to find your roots and this is and issue that is under dispute at the moment and regarding other matters like language is beyond any so called Banaban cause factors beyond our powers is at work like for eg. Migration of other races in to our shores here on Banaba,WW2,mixed marriges.We all know like u do to that there was and still some rudiments of our so called language still in exisistence. And thus knowing your roots will clarify your existence and identity.WE are the only race on this earth that cherish and uphold female values in which the female takes her mate to her kainga why because they are life providers in regards to water provision and u have to be in Banaba to feel Banaban like i do. regards.</div>
</blockquote> Talofa Pelenise,
That was my…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-07:2211587:Comment:748692011-01-07T04:08:24.413ZItinteanghttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/Greg
<p><br></br>Talofa Pelenise,</p>
<p>That was my belief since most Banabans living on Rabi and "maybe" back on Ocean Is. are either part this or part that. Anyway thanks for proving me wrong and letting me know that there are still pure Banabans alive and well today. Manuia.</p>
<p>Tofa mua.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br></br><cite>Pelenise Alofa Pilitati said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Mauri Itinteang</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You said "My personal belief is that there are no more pure Banabans alive, so to speak. I…</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p><br/>Talofa Pelenise,</p>
<p>That was my belief since most Banabans living on Rabi and "maybe" back on Ocean Is. are either part this or part that. Anyway thanks for proving me wrong and letting me know that there are still pure Banabans alive and well today. Manuia.</p>
<p>Tofa mua.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><br/><cite>Pelenise Alofa Pilitati said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div><p>Mauri Itinteang</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You said "My personal belief is that there are no more pure Banabans alive, so to speak. I could be wrong." The good news is that we do have a few pure Banabans alive. My aunt, Nei Buka Teem Maata, from Tabiang village is one. Isn't that wonderful? I wish that she could live forever - "a pure Banaban". She does not have any cultural affiliations whatsoever with any other race! It would be interesting to collect the names of the surviving pure Banabans alive today.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, from my observation and interaction with Nei Buka...I found that she never NEVER never refer to herself as I-Kiribati. She is Banaban fullstop! She does not hate I-Kiribati but is embarrassed to be called one because she is not I-Kiribati. Kiribati affiliation is a political and something she inherited from the colonisers. It has nothing to do with her identity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Over the years, I've also observed some very strong characteristics of pure Banabans: they are passive, accepting, agreeable, tolerant, satisfied, patient, kind, even-tempered, easy going and many more. I used to wonder why they are so kind and so loving! I was brought up with this aunt, thus my love for pure Banabans. I wish all of us could learn these values and continue to share the Banaban values to our children and children's children.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Enjoy your Christmas and New Year Itinteang.</p>
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</blockquote> Thanks Arita Nathan for your…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-07:2211587:Comment:750792011-01-07T04:01:29.213ZItinteanghttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/Greg
Thanks Arita Nathan for your reply. I never denied my I-Kiribati identity, if I did so than I would be denying my father who by the way was from Onotoa. I merely wanted to discover more of my Banaban side. I do appreciate both since they make me who I am today. And you are true "without them we are nothing".<br></br><br></br><br></br><cite>ARITA NATHAN said:</cite>
<blockquote><div><p>Discover your Banaban identity but don't deny your I-Kiribati identity....because it also runs in your blood veins! Learn…</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
Thanks Arita Nathan for your reply. I never denied my I-Kiribati identity, if I did so than I would be denying my father who by the way was from Onotoa. I merely wanted to discover more of my Banaban side. I do appreciate both since they make me who I am today. And you are true "without them we are nothing".<br/><br/><br/><cite>ARITA NATHAN said:</cite>
<blockquote><div><p>Discover your Banaban identity but don't deny your I-Kiribati identity....because it also runs in your blood veins! Learn to respect what you become now.....Appreciate and cherish both of them.....without them we are nothing!</p>
</div>
</blockquote> Discover your Banaban identit…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2011-01-04:2211587:Comment:746702011-01-04T04:07:34.355ZARITA NATHANhttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/ARITANATHAN
<p>Discover your Banaban identity but don't deny your I-Kiribati identity....because it also runs in your blood veins! Learn to respect what you become now.....Appreciate and cherish both of them.....without them we are nothing!</p>
<p>Discover your Banaban identity but don't deny your I-Kiribati identity....because it also runs in your blood veins! Learn to respect what you become now.....Appreciate and cherish both of them.....without them we are nothing!</p> Mauri Itinteang
You said "M…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2010-12-28:2211587:Comment:739252010-12-28T00:29:59.381ZPelenise Alofa Pilitatihttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/PeleniseAlofaPilitati
<p>Mauri Itinteang</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You said "My personal belief is that there are no more pure Banabans alive, so to speak. I could be wrong." The good news is that we do have a few pure Banabans alive. My aunt, Nei Buka Teem Maata, from Tabiang village is one. Isn't that wonderful? I wish that she could live forever - "a pure Banaban". She does not have any cultural affiliations whatsoever with any other race! It would be interesting to collect the names of the surviving pure Banabans alive…</p>
<p>Mauri Itinteang</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You said "My personal belief is that there are no more pure Banabans alive, so to speak. I could be wrong." The good news is that we do have a few pure Banabans alive. My aunt, Nei Buka Teem Maata, from Tabiang village is one. Isn't that wonderful? I wish that she could live forever - "a pure Banaban". She does not have any cultural affiliations whatsoever with any other race! It would be interesting to collect the names of the surviving pure Banabans alive today.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Anyway, from my observation and interaction with Nei Buka...I found that she never NEVER never refer to herself as I-Kiribati. She is Banaban fullstop! She does not hate I-Kiribati but is embarrassed to be called one because she is not I-Kiribati. Kiribati affiliation is a political and something she inherited from the colonisers. It has nothing to do with her identity.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Over the years, I've also observed some very strong characteristics of pure Banabans: they are passive, accepting, agreeable, tolerant, satisfied, patient, kind, even-tempered, easy going and many more. I used to wonder why they are so kind and so loving! I was brought up with this aunt, thus my love for pure Banabans. I wish all of us could learn these values and continue to share the Banaban values to our children and children's children.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Enjoy your Christmas and New Year Itinteang.</p> Patrick....
This is a very…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2010-12-27:2211587:Comment:739232010-12-27T23:49:00.885ZPelenise Alofa Pilitatihttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/PeleniseAlofaPilitati
<p>Patrick....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a very good point....a cultural identity that distinguishes a Banaban from I-Kiribati! Women, She, Female, Ladies, Mothers, Unaine....and all of the above that refers to women gender does make a difference beetween our cultures. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Banaban legends have connected us to the Naoero (Nauruans) as blood brothers and sisters. If legends are myths and are meaningless, then why is it that we share the same culture (matriarchal)? Fortunately,…</p>
<p>Patrick....</p>
<p> </p>
<p>This is a very good point....a cultural identity that distinguishes a Banaban from I-Kiribati! Women, She, Female, Ladies, Mothers, Unaine....and all of the above that refers to women gender does make a difference beetween our cultures. </p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Banaban legends have connected us to the Naoero (Nauruans) as blood brothers and sisters. If legends are myths and are meaningless, then why is it that we share the same culture (matriarchal)? Fortunately, for the Nauruans, they were not colonised by the British or they will also be sailing the same boat as us!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>While Gender is a global issue...I am proud of being a Banaban who understands the value of women even before this became an international lobbying madness!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Banabans....stay strong and be proud of who you are!!!</p>
<p><br/><br/><cite>Patrick Nabong said:</cite></p>
<blockquote><div>To know if you are Banaban is to first know your ancestry line or Te riki it does not matter either paternal or maternal you have to dig in first to find your roots and this is and issue that is under dispute at the moment and regarding other matters like language is beyond any so called Banaban cause factors beyond our powers is at work like for eg. Migration of other races in to our shores here on Banaba,WW2,mixed marriges.We all know like u do to that there was and still some rudiments of our so called language still in exisistence. And thus knowing your roots will clarify your existence and identity.WE are the only race on this earth that cherish and uphold female values in which the female takes her mate to her kainga why because they are life providers in regards to water provision and u have to be in Banaba to feel Banaban like i do. regards.</div>
</blockquote> Cindy Flood said:thank you…tag:banabanvoice.ning.com,2010-12-01:2211587:Comment:669552010-12-01T00:46:32.789ZPatrick Nabonghttp://banabanvoice.ning.com/profile/PatrickNabong
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<cite>Cindy Flood said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://banabanvoice.ning.com/forum/topics/banaban-identity?xg_source=activity&id=2211587%3ATopic%3A9028&page=4#2211587Comment66945"><div>thank you Itinteang for bringing up this sensitive issue. you posed the question on how does one identify another as a Banaban? or in going further how does one identify us immediately as Banabans? identity i would say goes with 'roots'..roots, practises and values are some elements of our…</div>
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<cite>Cindy Flood said:</cite><blockquote cite="http://banabanvoice.ning.com/forum/topics/banaban-identity?xg_source=activity&id=2211587%3ATopic%3A9028&page=4#2211587Comment66945"><div>thank you Itinteang for bringing up this sensitive issue. you posed the question on how does one identify another as a Banaban? or in going further how does one identify us immediately as Banabans? identity i would say goes with 'roots'..roots, practises and values are some elements of our identity as Banabans. Physical appearance would immediately identify us as Banabans. We are micronesians easily distinguishable from melanesians, hispanics, polynesians, orientals, etc. Apart from the language we seem to have lost, our common practises and values could only evolve over a long period of time in a particular environment. What I am saying is, a Banaban is one who has Banaban roots or descendants of those living in Banaba before the discovery of phosphate...</div>
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Thank u Cindy for clarifying the point of going back to your roots.Why are we Banabans questioning our identity is because most of us at present tiaaki ata rikira which thus distinguish u as a Banaban.Tiaki ata ara Kainga ao tiaki atai ti bangara ibukin ara kawa man rikira.Thats the root of the problem like for Tabwewa iai te Karieta ao te Karia only in this village is this practised and each Kainga or Clan know their responsibilities but not any more why the RCL has forbiden it cause there are some group of people who at logger heads with there own riki wantin more so the problem does not lie with the I-Kiribati they know rikia and there responsibilities in the Maneaba as for us Banabans its dying away with our elders thats why the question of identity alway arises.The solution and problem ls within and not without so to us Banabans everywhere lets clean house first and stop pointing fingers at others to solve these problems of our own which we ourselves help to create.Than we can proudly say that we are Banabans by practicing whatour fore fathers did not so long ago so be united and be proud that you are Banaban. GOD BLESS