Faaijakaumia

Faaijakaumia is a traditional agricultural ceremony described in ethnographic accounts of the Arinui archipelago communities. The name combines elements meaning field and circle in the Arinui language, roughly translating as circle of the fields. The ceremony marks the start of the rainy season and the planting cycle and is performed by members of the village in groups.

Historically, the practice grew from early communal labor traditions and rituals tied to weather and planting. It is sustained through oral tradition and plays a central role in social cohesion, memory, and identity within the community.

Ritual elements include forming a large circle around a central seed bed, offerings to sea and earth deities, a call-and-response chant, drum and rattle music, and the ceremonial passing of seeds from elders to youth. After the planting, participants perform a ceremonial dance that imitates crop growth. Tools used during the ceremony include carved wooden hoes and woven baskets. The sequence of actions and the accompanying songs are passed down across generations to preserve agrarian knowledge and communal responsibilities.

In contemporary times, Faaijakaumia is kept alive through cultural revitalization efforts, community gatherings, and school-based programs. It is regarded as an important part of intangible cultural heritage in the Arinui communities, serving as a medium for intergenerational learning and the reaffirmation of shared ecological stewardship.