By Georgina Maka’a
Chief Francis Rerekini is 79 years old. He can build a traditional house with his bare hands, just as his father and grandfather taught him. But he fears the knowledge will die with him.
“I never learned these skills in school,” he said, standing beside a traditional building he constructed as a classroom at the 2026 Iikoru (Iidauru) Maasina Cultural Festival. “This knowledge has lived with us for generations. But my biggest worry is for my kids. Even my own sons are not interested.”
He spoke without anger. Only worry.
The festival, held at the Takataka Eco-Village Conservation Hub, carries the theme “Living Archives, Living Future” — a direct challenge to the idea that indigenous culture belongs locked away in museums.
“Our culture is not confined to the pages of academic books,” said Edward Haikau Huitarau, Chairman of the Mai-Maasina Green Belt, who opened the event. “It is an archive that is breathing. It is walking and talking. It lives in the beating of slit drums, the harmonies of panpipes, and the oral histories passed down by our elders.”
“Protecting our cultural heritage is not a two-day event,” he said. “It is a daily obligation.”
Participants of the Iikoru(iidarau) Ma’asina Cultural Festival visiting the Nima Education stall
The festival has three aims: to document indigenous heritage, revive what is fading, and promote it. These are anchored in four pillars — Land, Sea, People, and the constellations that guide them.
Huitarau called on the ‘Are’Are House of Chiefs to record oral histories from elders, create platforms for youth to reclaim their identity, and strengthen institutions like the newly inaugurated Nima Ni Aaraha.
“When we protect our tribal lands and indigenous cultures, we also protect ourselves,” he said.
But for Chief Rerekini, he said he found hope in the Nima Education program, where he now teaches other young men the craft of traditional house building.
“Even though my own sons and nephews are not interested, other children can learn,” he said.
Chief Rerekeni said programs like Nima Education give the opportunity for traditional knowledge to be passed to young men, he said this is even after he dies at least someone takes on the skills from him.
“So that this knowledge does not end with me,” he added.
The Iikoru(Iidarau) Ma’asina Cultural Festival 2026 was sponsored by the Mai-Ma’asina Green Belt and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.
The next festival will be held in 2028.
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