Dawn of my manhood
p. 60 · Read in the full issue
By Ueantabo Fakaofo
The years of Childhood have ended, The constellation Rimwimata’ is up in the skies Twinkling on the whole island at rest Laying in bed tossing and wakeful I waited for dawn Ten-tere-koo, 1 the early morning call of the cocks This, the dawn of my manhood at last To the eastern side of the island To the baangota 2 of heroic Ancestors I was taken — Where the dewy winds blew Where the waves struck mercilessly on the angry rocks, Waters spiralled to Mone 3 —the destination of my soul Onto te b’a-te narir 4 boulder I was installed with my spear pointing eastwards as I chanted the chant of a warrior—the meditation of a rorobuaka 5 To Auriaria The Great Ancestral God of War I asked for strength and courage And my mauri 6 from my enemies. 1 Antares 2 Gilbertese shrine 3 Undersea kingdom 4 A hard, dense boulder 5 Fullgrown man, a warrior 6 ‘Safety’