Golden Rules for your Stay

With your help we can make Kiribati a better place for everyone to enjoy. Hence, during your stay we ask that you respect our ways and be mindful of the following

Remember you are a guest - always behave respectfully
Treat all people with respect and politeness
Be aware of local religious and social customs
Behave respectfully especially in villages, religious and cultural areas
Learn key words in the Kiribati language. Using some local words is certainly appreciated by the locals, and will put you in good stead in making new friends.
Please be mindful not to speed alongside a mwaneaba or church where there is meeting gathering or church service in session. It is expected that you get off your motorcycle and push it or if you are in a car, drive slow until you have passed by the mwaneaba or the church. This is more applicable on the outer islands

The locals love to have their pictures taken however we do ask that you respect the dignity and privacy of others and ask before taking photos
In all aspects of life, humility and humbleness are admired.
Direct eye contact is uncommon, and it is inappropriate to look directly at one of higher status. Touching of heads is considered extremely intimate, and the top of the head is a taboo area. Similarly, do not raise your hands/arms above another person’s head (for example by leaning on a mwaneaba roof).
Don’t walk across or cut between the gaze of talking individuals. Go around them or stoop or when you do, bend down below eye level and pass, and use the word “matauninga.”

PURCHASE LOCAL PRODUCTS

Support local communities by purchasing local products, arts and crafts.

HELP COMMUNITY PROJECTS

If you want to gift money, support community projects rather than individuals.

Loose cool clothing is encouraged to suit the hot climate, however it is important that you dress modestly in villages, religious and cultural areas. A sarong and local tailored blouse (Mauri wear) is the sort of wear popular among women in Kiribati. Women are advised not to wear skimpy clothing in public or in the village. Women may wear bikini on private or isolated beaches, but if you intend to go into the village please cover up by putting on a t-shirt and a lavalava (sarong). Nude and topless swimming / sun bathing is not acceptable. Wearing a sarong (lavalava) is required when attending functions in a mwaneaba (a meeting & social hall).

“Te Mweaka” is a customary practice that applies to first time visitors when visiting a place or island for the first time. On most islands and places in Kiribati, a first time visitor will be required under the traditional initiation protocol of the island or place, to be escorted to the shrine(s) of the paramount guardian spirit(s) of the island. This custom will require that the visitor must provide tobacco(s) offering to the shrine(s). The offering is traditionally called “Te mweaka” and nowadays tobacco (Irish cake tobacco aka “Te Boa”) is often used as offering. The moral of this traditional custom is to introduce new visitor(s) to the ancestral spirit guardian; request safeguarding; permission to conduct activities and to bestow luck to the visitor during his/her stay on the island.

The “Mwaneaba” is a communal traditional meeting house or social hall which remains the most important institutional symbol and foundation of social and community life in Kiribati. It is important to consider the following customs when invited to a function in a mwaneaba:

Stooping

In the mwaneaba it is considered respectful to stoop when walking through mwaneaba and amongst people sitting down. Use the word “matauninga” which is a polite word of saying “excuse me” .

Sitting Manner

As guests you will be allocated your place to sit where you will be facing the host or the elders sitting on the opposite side. To face away or to turn your back is considered rude. Sitting with your feet pointing towards a person can be interpreted as a rude and a challenge. In the mwaneaba it is customary to sit on the floor with your legs crossed or feet tucked in underneath the other, this is called “te kabari.” It is likely that you will sit on the floor for a long time, which can get a bit uncomfortable. So try to bare until you will be told by the Master of Ceremony (Te Tia Babaire) that you can relax your legs, but if you do, please make sure your head is pointing towards the group, as it is considered rude to do otherwise.

Mwaneaba Dress Code

Make sure you wear a shirt and sarong when attending a function in a mwaneaba.