Tembinok'
Encyclopedia
Tembinok’, or Tem Binoka, (reigned 1878–10 November 1891) was the ruler of Abemama
, Aranuka
and Kuria
, in the Gilbert Islands
, during the late 19th century. Tembinok’'s grandfather, Teñkoruti (d. 1860), was the ruler of a village on Abemama
, which was then experiencing devastating feuds. Teñkoruti extended his authority over the entire atoll
, and established a dictatorship, ignoring the traditional authority of a "council of Old Men". Teñkoruti died about 1860. Teñkoruti’s left two sons Tembinatake and Tembaitake (father of Tembinok’). Tembinatake conquered Aranuka
and Kuria, then delegated absolute authority to his nephew Tembinok’.
Tembinok’ was the last truly independent and influential king of parts of the Gilbert islands, at a time when the Gilberts were being increasingly influenced by white settlers and traders. Tembinok’ resided on Abemama
, and, unlike the rulers of neighbouring islands, did not allow outsiders to establish a permanent presence there. Tembinok’ controlled access to the atolls under his control and jealously guarded his revenue and his prerogatives as monarch. He briefly accepted the presence on Abemama
of Tuppoti, a Christian
missionary
, then deported him for attempting to set up a copra
trading business. In 1888, he granted Robert Louis Stevenson
, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne
the right to live temporarily on Abemama
, on the condition that they did not give or sell money, liquor or tobacco to his subjects.
Robert Louis Stevenson
, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne
returned to Abemama
in July 1890 during their cruise on the trading steamer the Janet Nicoll.
's description of him in his book In the South Seas. Robert Louis Stevenson
spent two months on Abemama
in 1889. Stevenson described Tembinok’ as the "one great personage in the Gilberts … and the last tyrant”. Stevenson described the ambitions of Tembinok' as an embryonic "empire of the archipelago" and established his importance in the Gilbert Islands as "Tembinok' figures in the patriotic
war-songs of the Gilberts like Napoleon in those of our grandfathers." ”
Stevenson describes Tembinok’, as in years past, attempted to extend his rule further over a number of islands and atolls; he compelled Maiana
to pay tribute, and seized Nonouti
, before being driven out by a British
warship and forbidden from expanding his kingdom further. Stevenson does not date these events. At this time British navy ships served on the Australia Station
, with ships of the Australia Squadron operated in the South Pacific.
and New Zealand
. His commercial ventures, however, ended in failure with the loss of his ship the Coronet.
Tembinok’ was also a merchant king, controlling his kingdom's commerce. He enforced the allocation of produce; such that the taro
went to the chiefs of each village to allocate among their various subjects; certain fish and turtles and the whole of the produce of the coco-palm, the source of copra
belonged to Tembinok’. He would trade the copra
with visiting trading ships. He was, according to Stevenson:
While the captains and supercargo
s of trading ships could expect to sell such novelties at a great profit, Tembinok’ controlled access to his islands and would refuse to deal with those whose he consider took advantage of him. Stevenson describes Tembinok’ as classing captains and supercargo
s in three categories: “He cheat a little” – “He cheat plenty”- and “I think he cheat too much”.
Tembinok’ gave his many wives a share of the copra
, which they would use to trade for hats, ribbons, dresses and other produce available on the trading ships. However sticks of tobacco were the main product they purchased, which Stevenson described as being “island currency, tantamount to minted gold”. Stevenson described a notable feature of life with Tembinok’ as being that evenings were spent with Tembinok’ playing card games with his wives with the currency being tobacco sticks. He had developed his own version of poker in which he could play either of two hands dealt to him. By this strategy Tembinok’ would win most of the tobacco, so that Tembinok’ ended up with effective control of the tobacco, which he would allocate to his wives and other subjects, so that he was, as described by Stevenson “the soul fount of all indulgences”.
While Stevenson refers to Tembinok’ as “the last tyrant”, Stevenson’s account of his time with Tembinok’ is much more sympathetic that given to Nakaeia, the ruler of Butaritari
and Makin
atolls in the Gilbert Islands
. Nakaeia allowed two San Francisco trading firms to operate, Messrs, Crawford and Messrs. Wightman Brothers, with up to 12 Europeans resident on various of the atolls. The presence of the Europeans, and the alcohol they traded to the islanders, resulted in periodic alcoholic binges that only ended with Nakaeia making tapu (forbidding) the sale of alcohol. During the 15 or so days Stevenson spent on Butaritari
the islanders were engaged in a drunken spree that threatened the safety of Stevenson and his family. Stevenson adopted the strategy of describing himself as the son of Queen Victoria so as to ensure that he would be treated as a person who should not be threatened or harmed.
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
, Aranuka
Aranuka
Aranuka is an atoll of Kiribati, located just north of the equator, in the Gilbert Islands...
and Kuria
Kuria (islands)
Kuria is a the name of a pair of islands in the North Gilbert Islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are located northwest of Aranuka ....
, in the Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
, during the late 19th century. Tembinok’'s grandfather, Teñkoruti (d. 1860), was the ruler of a village on Abemama
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
, which was then experiencing devastating feuds. Teñkoruti extended his authority over the entire atoll
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
, and established a dictatorship, ignoring the traditional authority of a "council of Old Men". Teñkoruti died about 1860. Teñkoruti’s left two sons Tembinatake and Tembaitake (father of Tembinok’). Tembinatake conquered Aranuka
Aranuka
Aranuka is an atoll of Kiribati, located just north of the equator, in the Gilbert Islands...
and Kuria, then delegated absolute authority to his nephew Tembinok’.
Tembinok’ was the last truly independent and influential king of parts of the Gilbert islands, at a time when the Gilberts were being increasingly influenced by white settlers and traders. Tembinok’ resided on Abemama
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
, and, unlike the rulers of neighbouring islands, did not allow outsiders to establish a permanent presence there. Tembinok’ controlled access to the atolls under his control and jealously guarded his revenue and his prerogatives as monarch. He briefly accepted the presence on Abemama
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
of Tuppoti, a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
, then deported him for attempting to set up a copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
trading business. In 1888, he granted Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne
Lloyd Osbourne
Samuel Lloyd Osbourne was an American author and the stepson of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson with whom he would co-author three books and provide input and ideas on others.-Early life:...
the right to live temporarily on Abemama
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
, on the condition that they did not give or sell money, liquor or tobacco to his subjects.
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne
Lloyd Osbourne
Samuel Lloyd Osbourne was an American author and the stepson of Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson with whom he would co-author three books and provide input and ideas on others.-Early life:...
returned to Abemama
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
in July 1890 during their cruise on the trading steamer the Janet Nicoll.
Robert Louis Stevenson’s account of Tembinok’
Tembinok’ was immortalised by Robert Louis StevensonRobert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
's description of him in his book In the South Seas. Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
spent two months on Abemama
Abemama
Abemama is an atoll in the central part of the Kiribati Group located 152 kilometres southeast of Tarawa and just north of the Equator.- Geography :...
in 1889. Stevenson described Tembinok’ as the "one great personage in the Gilberts … and the last tyrant”. Stevenson described the ambitions of Tembinok' as an embryonic "empire of the archipelago" and established his importance in the Gilbert Islands as "Tembinok' figures in the patriotic
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
war-songs of the Gilberts like Napoleon in those of our grandfathers." ”
Stevenson describes Tembinok’, as in years past, attempted to extend his rule further over a number of islands and atolls; he compelled Maiana
Maiana
Maiana is a district of Kiribati and an atoll in the North Gilbert Islands. The north and eastern sides of the atoll are a single island whilst the western edge consists of submerged reefs, all surrounding a lagoon...
to pay tribute, and seized Nonouti
Nonouti
Nonouti is an atoll and district of Kiribati. The atoll is located in the South Gilbert Islands, 38 km north of Tabiteuea, and 250 km south of Tarawa. The eastern side of the atoll is the primary permanent landmass. There is an islet on the northwest side of the atoll called Noumatong. Noumatong...
, before being driven out by a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
warship and forbidden from expanding his kingdom further. Stevenson does not date these events. At this time British navy ships served on the Australia Station
Australia Station
The Australia Station was the British—and later Australian—naval command responsible for the waters around the Australian continent.-History:In the early years following the establishment of the colony of New South Wales, ships based in Australian waters came under the control of the East Indies...
, with ships of the Australia Squadron operated in the South Pacific.
Tembinok’ - the merchant king
Tembinok’ owned trade ships which would travel to AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. His commercial ventures, however, ended in failure with the loss of his ship the Coronet.
Tembinok’ was also a merchant king, controlling his kingdom's commerce. He enforced the allocation of produce; such that the taro
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
went to the chiefs of each village to allocate among their various subjects; certain fish and turtles and the whole of the produce of the coco-palm, the source of copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
belonged to Tembinok’. He would trade the copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
with visiting trading ships. He was, according to Stevenson:
- "greedy of things new and foreign. House after house, chest after chest, in the palace precinct, is already crammed with clocks, musical boxes, blue spectacles, umbrellas, knitted waistcoats, bolts of stuff, tools, rifles, fowling-pieces, medicines, European foods, sewing-machines, and, what is more extraordinary, stoves".
While the captains and supercargo
Supercargo
Supercargo is a term in maritime law that refers to a person employed on board a vessel by the owner of cargo carried on the ship...
s of trading ships could expect to sell such novelties at a great profit, Tembinok’ controlled access to his islands and would refuse to deal with those whose he consider took advantage of him. Stevenson describes Tembinok’ as classing captains and supercargo
Supercargo
Supercargo is a term in maritime law that refers to a person employed on board a vessel by the owner of cargo carried on the ship...
s in three categories: “He cheat a little” – “He cheat plenty”- and “I think he cheat too much”.
Tembinok’ gave his many wives a share of the copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
, which they would use to trade for hats, ribbons, dresses and other produce available on the trading ships. However sticks of tobacco were the main product they purchased, which Stevenson described as being “island currency, tantamount to minted gold”. Stevenson described a notable feature of life with Tembinok’ as being that evenings were spent with Tembinok’ playing card games with his wives with the currency being tobacco sticks. He had developed his own version of poker in which he could play either of two hands dealt to him. By this strategy Tembinok’ would win most of the tobacco, so that Tembinok’ ended up with effective control of the tobacco, which he would allocate to his wives and other subjects, so that he was, as described by Stevenson “the soul fount of all indulgences”.
While Stevenson refers to Tembinok’ as “the last tyrant”, Stevenson’s account of his time with Tembinok’ is much more sympathetic that given to Nakaeia, the ruler of Butaritari
Butaritari
Butaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati.-Geography:...
and Makin
Makin (islands)
Makin is the name of a chain of islands located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati, specifically in the Gilbert Islands.-Geography:...
atolls in the Gilbert Islands
Kiribati
Kiribati , officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an island nation located in the central tropical Pacific Ocean. The permanent population exceeds just over 100,000 , and is composed of 32 atolls and one raised coral island, dispersed over 3.5 million square kilometres, straddling the...
. Nakaeia allowed two San Francisco trading firms to operate, Messrs, Crawford and Messrs. Wightman Brothers, with up to 12 Europeans resident on various of the atolls. The presence of the Europeans, and the alcohol they traded to the islanders, resulted in periodic alcoholic binges that only ended with Nakaeia making tapu (forbidding) the sale of alcohol. During the 15 or so days Stevenson spent on Butaritari
Butaritari
Butaritari is an atoll located in the Pacific Ocean island nation of Kiribati.-Geography:...
the islanders were engaged in a drunken spree that threatened the safety of Stevenson and his family. Stevenson adopted the strategy of describing himself as the son of Queen Victoria so as to ensure that he would be treated as a person who should not be threatened or harmed.
Additional reading
- Stevenson, Robert L., In the South Seas, part V.
- The Cruise of the Janet Nichol among the South Sea Islands A Diary by Mrs Robert Louis Stevenson (first published 1914), republished 2004, editor, Roslyn Jolly (U. of Washington Press/U. of New South Wales Press)
- "Literary Notes: A long way from Treasure Island", Neil Rennie, The Independent, November 9, 1998