Numerous communities across the globe have transitioned to modern living, forsaking traditional practices that were once deemed socially unacceptable. However, amid this societal shift, there remain individuals committed to preserving their customs. These people, choosing not to embrace the contemporary lifestyle, reside in secluded tribes, adhering to their unique traditions, distanced from urban influence.
The Mangyan tribe is among the diverse groups maintaining distinct traditions worldwide. However, their customs, notably those concerning the upbringing of children, have led to considerable controversy. Despite fostering a sense of free-thinking that rivals even the most modern urban dwellers, some practices, particularly in the context of training boys from a young age, raise ethical concerns and might be considered child abuse in urban settings.
This custom in the Mangyan tribe is explained as an effort to ensure sons can satisfy their wives post-marriage. Boys undergo comprehensive training and are permitted multiple partners before marriage. Notably, this training does not apply to girls. Additionally, mandatory circumcision of 13-year-old boys is a distinctive practice within the tribe.
Mangaia, the final island among the Cook Islands to embrace Christianity, retained remnants of its old beliefs even after the widespread conversion. Unlike inhabitants of the other 13 populated islands who followed missionaries’ calls to destroy their idols, the people of Mangaia resisted Christianization for an extended period. Rather than eliminating their idols, they conceal them in the intricate cave networks beneath Mangaia, sealing the entrances with boulders. This act suggests a lingering scepticism, possibly leaving the option to retrieve their idols if their faith in Jehovah were to waver.
The Tangatatau Rockshelter excavation reveals that Mangaia was initially settled around 1000 CE. According to oral tradition, the island emerged from the underworld of Avaiki already inhabited. Subsequent settlements occurred from Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Tonga, and Tahiti. Evidence such as adze heads and basalt tools suggests ongoing trade with Rarotonga, Samoa, and Raiatea.
The Tangatatau Rockshelter is the earliest recorded site indicating sweet potato cultivation in Polynesia. While initial settlement focused on coastal villages, by the 16th century, it had shifted inland, and inter-island trade had significantly diminished. Oral histories from this period depict chiefs vying for land and status.