Nauruan visitor traces family ties on Rabi Island Anniversary

A retired teacher from Nauru is experiencing her first December 15 celebration on Rabi Island, tracing her family connection to a Banaban adoptive grandfather who arrived on the historic ship MV Triona in 1945.

Anne Merema Bunde, 61, said her Nauruan father Akki Michael Akubor was adopted by one of the 703 Banabans who made the journey from Ocean Island 80 years ago today.

“My father is pure Nauruan but he was adopted with Itaaka. He was on the ship in 1945, his name is on the list,” Ms Bunde said.

Retired teacher Anne Merema Bunde.

Photo: Kaneta Naimatau

She is part of a group of about 20 Nauruans who travelled to Rabi for the anniversary, many married to Banabans or with family ties through adoption.

During the war years, Banabans were dispersed to Japanese labour camps, including on Nauru, where relationships formed and adoptions took place between the communities.

Ms Bunde said this was her first time witnessing the December 15 celebrations, although she had visited Rabi three to four times before.

The former early childhood teacher stressed the importance of education for Rabi’s future.

“Education is the key to success. Future of Rabi, the future of people of Rabi depends on education. If no education, no future,” she said.

Ms Bunde will stay for a week before returning to Nauru, where she works as a consultant helping dropout students return to school.

Both Nauru and Banaba were devastated by phosphate mining, with 90 per cent of Banaba’s surface removed by British, Australian and New Zealand mining operations.