The Golden Rules for your Stay in Kiribati
Make your trip to Kiribati a positive experience for both you and our local people and so, we request that during your visit and stay, please respect our ways and be mindful of the following. With your help we can make Kiribati a better place for everybody to enjoy.
‘Ko Rabwa and Kona Tekeraoi
Manners, Behaviour & Social Norms
- Remember you are a guest – always behave respectfully
- Treat people with respect & politeness
- 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 to make new friends
- The locals love having their pictures taken, however please do ask before taking photos to respect the dignity and privacy of others
- Humility and humbleness are admired
- Direct eye contact is uncommon. Touching a person on the head is considered rude. Similarly, do not raise your hands/arms above another person’s head
- Don’t walk across or cut between people talking; go around them or stoop and say ‘matauninga’ and bend down below eye level and pass, and use the word ‘matauninga.’
- Be mindful not to speed alongside a maneaba or church where there is formal gathering or service in session. It is expected that you drive very slow until you have passed by. This is more applicable on the outer islands.
Dress Etiquette
- Loose cool clothing is encouraged to suit the hot climate; however it is important that you dress modestly in villages and religious areas. Women are advised not to wear skimpy clothing in public or in the village. Wearing Bikini is allowed at private beach resorts or at isolated beaches, but if you intend to go into the village please cover up with a t-shirt and lavalava (sarong). Nude sunbathing is unacceptable.
- Maneaba Dress Etiquette: Wearing a sarong (lavalava) for men & women is required when attending formal or meeting functions in a maneaba.
Maneaba Customs
A ‘Maneaba’ is a community meeting hall for social gatherings which remains the most important institutional symbol and foundation of community life in Kiribati. The following customs should be observed during formal gatherings in a maneaba:
Sitting Manner
As guests you will be allocated your place to sit usually facing the host or the chiefs (unimwane) sitting in the opposite side. It is customary to sit on the floor with your legs crossed or feet tucked in underneath the other, this is called ‘ kabari.’To sit and turn your back from the host is considered rude. Sitting with your feet pointing out towards people is also considered rude. 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.
Stooping
In the maneaba it is considered respectful to stoop when walking amongst people sitting down. Use the word “matauninga” which is a polite word of saying ‘excuse me.’
Help Minimize Environmental impact
- Show the locals that you care about the environment by disposing of rubbish responsibly, recycle where possible, reuse your drink bottles and shopping bags; involve and educate the locals so they too can help make Kiribati a better place.
- Do not leave your rubbish take them with you
- Minimize water and energy use.
Mweaka Custom
A ‘Mweaka’ is a gratuity offering, which is a customary practice in Kiribati that applies in the following
Mweaka (Gratuity) in the Maneaba
It is customary that guests/visitors offer a gratuity of $10 to $20pp as a token of appreciation for an invitation to a formal & feast function in a ‘maneaba’ (community hall) which should be presented to the Master of Ceremony (MC).
Mweaka at Cultural Shrines
On most islands and places in Kiribati (not all); a first time visitor will be required under the traditional initiation protocol of the island or place, to offer a stick of tobacco as an offering when escorted to the cultural shrine(s) of a guardian spirit(s) of the island or place. Tobacco (Irish cake tobacco aka ‘Boa’) is often used as offering. The moral of this tradition is to introduce visitor/guest(s) to the ancestral spirit guardian; request safeguarding and permission to conduct activities.
Support local Initiatives
- Support local communities by purchasing local products.
- If you want to donate (money or items); support community projects rather than individuals