Polynesian outlier

Polynesian outliers are special groups of people whose culture comes from Polynesia. They live far outside the main Polynesian area, called the Polynesian Triangle. These communities are found in two other parts of the Pacific Ocean: Melanesia and Micronesia. Scientists have studied old remains and languages. They learned that these islands were settled by skilled sailors from places like Samoa, Tonga, and Tuvalu.

Some of the closest Polynesian outliers are Anuta and Tikopia. They are part of the Solomon Islands. These islands were settled between the 10th and 13th centuries. Later, they received more people from Polynesia. The farthest outlier is Nukuoro. It is located in the Federated States of Micronesia. It was settled much later, in the 18th century.

General definition

Further information: Tui Manuʻa, Tuʻi Tonga Empire, and Polynesian navigation

Polynesia is a big area with thousands of islands. These islands make a triangle with Hawaii, Easter Island, and New Zealand as its points.

Outside this triangle, in Micronesia and Melanesia, there are about two dozen smaller islands. People on these islands speak Polynesian languages. We call these islands Polynesian "outliers."

People on outlier islands often look like other Polynesians, with brown skin and dark, wavy hair. Experts think their ancestors came from the main Polynesian areas not too long ago. These communities have mixed with nearby groups in some places, but in others they kept their traditional Polynesian ways.

Geography

Polynesian outlier cultures are found in five Pacific countries: the Federated States of Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia.

The Federated States of Micronesia has two outlier cultures: Kapingamarangi and Nukuoro. Papua New Guinea has three: Nuguria, Nukumanu, and Takuu. The Solomon Islands has seven outlier cultures, including Ontong Java, Sikaiana, Vaeakau-Taumako, Rennell, Bellona, Anuta, and Tikopia. Vanuatu has three: Emae, Mele, and Futuna-Aniwa. New Caledonia has one outlier culture on Ouvéa in the Loyalty Islands, where the Fagauvea language is spoken.

Language

The Polynesian outlier groups in Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and the northern Solomon Islands speak Ellicean languages, including Tuvaluan. Those living further south in the Solomons, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia speak Futunic languages, including the language of Wallis and Futuna. Both Ellicean and Futunic languages belong to the Samoic language family, also known as the Samoan-Outlier language family. This family is part of the larger Nuclear Polynesian languages. In some islands, people may also speak the local Melanesian or Micronesian language.

Genetics

A study from 1983 looked at the DNA of people from the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. It found special markers that show the Polynesian outlier islands are different. Anuta was the most unique, followed by Rennell and Bellona. Tikopia had more mix with nearby Melanesian people. The study also found very small traces of people from Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Sovereignty issues

Two remote places with Polynesian culture have unclear ownership rules.

Kapingamarangi is now governed by the Federated States of Micronesia, but Spain might also claim it based on an old agreement from 1899 about the Caroline Islands.

Sikaiana, also called the Stewart Islands, is controlled by the Solomon Islands. It was once part of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1856 and later the Republic of Hawaii, which became part of the United States of America. However, the Stewart Islands were not officially included when the Territory of Hawaii was formed. Neither the United States nor the Solomon Islands consider the Stewart Islanders to be part of Hawaii.