Penrhyn Island
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Penrhyn Island (also called Tongareva or Mangarongaro) is the most remote and largest atoll of the 15 Cook Islands in the south Pacific Ocean, 1365 km (848 miles) north-north-east of Rarotonga, 9 degrees below the equator. It sits atop the highest submarine volcano in the Cooks, 4876 m (15,917 ft) above the ocean floor. It comprises a ring of coral 77 km (48 miles) around. The lagoon covers 233 square kilometres (90 mile²) of which 62 square kilometres (24 mile²) is covered with pearlshell.[1][2]
Penrhyn's original name is Tongareva. Academic research published by the Cook Islands Library and Museum says this is variously translated as "Tonga floating in space", "Tonga-in-the-skies" and "A way from the South". However, the most commonly-used name in English is Penrhyn after the "Lady Penrhyn" commanded by Captain William Cropton Lever who landed on August 8 1788. Another European name was Bennett Island.[3]. The Lady Penrhyn was one of a fleet of 11 ships which sailed from the Isle of Wight (off the South coast of the UK) to found the earliest convict colony in Australia
Land area is 9.84 square kilometres (2432 acres). Maximum elevation less than 5 m. Population according to the 2001 census was 357 [www.citypopulation.de/Cook.html][4] As of 2006 the population of the island has shrunk to only 200 or so inhabitants according to the current mayor of the island.[citation needed]
In World War II a substantial airstrip was built, which is still used today although flights are very irregular at present
A large passage in the lagoon allows interisland ships to enter the lagoon and the island has become popular as a stopover for with yachts crossing the Pacific from Panama to New Zealand. However, few ships visit the island on a regular basis.[citation needed]
Black pearl farming is the only significant economic activity on the island. The locally produced Rito hats, woven from Pandanus leaves, are considered the finest in the whole South Pacific. Using the young coconut leaf they follow the same process as for pandanus though the end product is a smaller, finer, and whiter leaf. Called rito weaving the traditional items woven are Sunday church fans, small baskets and hats, the hats being a copy of the ones the sailors wore.[http://www.mahina.com/pacific.html}
The present population on the island of rely on the ocean for most of their food as well as locally grown plants such as coconut and breadfruit. Every morning (except on sundays) men from the island head out in small tin boats to spearfish and trawl for fish for their families. The islanders diet is also supplemented by imported rice and flour shipped in aboard an interisland barge. The barge arrives infrequently (usually every 3 months) however the barge is often late and the people of Penrhyn are forced to make do with what food they can provide for themselves.
The modern inhabitents of the island are devout church goers, 75% of the population belong to the Cook Islands Christian Church while the remaining 25% belong to the Catholic church.
In 1864 Penrhyn was almost depopulated by Peruvian slavers (also called blackbirding). An estimated 1,000 men, women, and children were taken to South America. Native pastors of the London Missionary Society had introduced Christianity from Rarotonga in 1854. The new religion had been accepted enthusiastically, and the villagers immediately wanted to build churches. Promise of good pay and safe return from the slavers offered a way to obtain money for churches. But most died in exile, virtually slaves. [5] Another source states that "In 1863 some 410 of the total population of about 500 were removed by trickery, the Spanish Peruvian perpetrators being abetted by four native missionary teachers who sold these unfortunates for five dollars a head! In fact, three of them accompanied the slaves to Peru as interpreters" [6]
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