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Port of Call |
LAST UPDATE June 6, 2006
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| March 11, 2006 |
Papeete, Tahiti – Hiti Tau: Working for Freedom from Nuclear Colonization and Racism |
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| Peace Boat participants and Hiti Tau members. |
Despite its tranquility and isolation, global politics have constantly stirred up emotions in the beautiful South Pacific region. Colonialism and nuclear testing in particular have primarily been responsible for raising tensions in the area. Hence, our time in Tahiti lent us an opportunity to explore such issues with one of Peace Boat’s longtime partner organizations in Hiti Tau. Gabriel Titiarahe, head of Hiti Tau and one of the world’s prominent anti-nuclear testing activists for the past 30 years welcomed a group of Peace Boat participants to his home island for a two-day cultural exchange. |
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| “Nuclear testing is my life” – Gabriel Titiarahe, far right. Photo: Stacy Hughes. |
Before arriving, however, Gabi spent a week onboard lecturing on his longtime struggle against nuclear testing in French Polynesia. Sitting far right on this photo, Gabi states: “nuclear testing is my life… I can not spend a day without thinking of the mushroom clouds I’ve seen in my life.”
Gabi’s activism began in the mid 1970’s and involved organizing movements both in Europe and the South Pacific. Longtime efforts finally paid dividends, as France’s last test took place in 1996. Gabi recalls how the principal argument against nuclear testing is based on fundamental human rights laws: “No one has the right to treat us like guinea pigs. No one has the right to kill the baby in the womb, which is what nuclear testing [was doing in our region].” |
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| Gabi displays local organic produce. |
Gabi’s focus in recent years has evolved towards environmentally sustainable and tradition-based agricultural and social practices in his native Tahiti as well as a drive for a peaceful transition into political independence from France. Here pictured on the right, Gabi displays some of the local Polynesian organic produce. |
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| Planting a young coconut palm tree. |
For the last couple of years, Peace Boat has been supporting organic banana farms and coconut groves run by Hiti Tau. Staff members who had not visited the groves for several months were amazed to observe such quick and healthy growth. Our visit gave current voyage participants the chance to partake in planting new coconut hearts. |
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| Guest lecturer Shuuichi Endo squeezes natural products used as toiletries. |
In addition to organically grown produce, Hiti Tau has also been involved in the development of natural oils and creams, particularly from vanilla, coconut and other local vegetation. Pictured is guest lecturer Shuichi Endo squeezing a flower containing nectar used by local Polynesians as insect repellent and hair shampoo. |
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| Women weave reed baskets from banana leaves. |
Similar to previous cultural exchange programs, both groups presented musical and dance performances. Traditional meals were shared, and plenty of time was reserved for exchanging ideas. As pictured, local women also showed participants how to hand weave reed baskets from banana leaves.
But thanks to our overnight stay in Tahiti, participants were also able to spend a night with a local host family. Needless to say, Polynesian hospitality touched participants. Sato Junichi, concludes that “In every port, wherever we go, there are different cultures. But I’ve learned we are all the same. We are all just people.”
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