ISSUES OF CONCERN TO ROTUMANS ABROAD: A VIEW FROM THE ROTUMA WEBSITE

Authors

Alan Howard, University of Hawai'i–MãnoaFollow
Jan Rensel, University of Hawai‘i at MānoaFollow

Abstract

This article examines the Rotuman diaspora and its impact on cultural identity, focusing on expatriates’ perceptions of Rotuma as an ancestral home. Despite Rotuma's political affiliation with Fiji for over a century, its people maintain distinct linguistic and cultural ties to Polynesian islands like Tonga, Samoa, and Futuna. Today, most Rotumans live abroad, primarily in Fiji and across various global locations. Drawing on decades of research and online postings from the Rotuma Website, the authors explore how expatriates engage with their heritage, sustain community connections, and navigate identity in the diaspora. Through interviews and long-term fieldwork, the study highlights the evolving concerns of overseas Rotumans, emphasizing their relationship to Rotuma as a central symbol of belonging and cultural continuity across generations.

Recommended Citation

Howard, Alan and Rensel, Jan (2012) "ISSUES OF CONCERN TO ROTUMANS ABROAD: A VIEW FROM THE ROTUMA WEBSITE," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 35: No. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol35/iss1/6