Hokikakika: History and Archaeology of a Catholic Village in the Eastern Tuamotus

Abstract

On Fakahina atoll (eastern Tuamotus), the remains of Hokikakika village, abandoned in the early 20^th century, reveal the history of the christianization of the region by catholic Fathers of the Sacred Hearts. The mission itself, at the intersection of the village’s two main roads, but also full-masonry houses, masonry substructures and secondary features (cisterns, wells, outdoor kitchens, bread oven) testify for the impact of the missionaries in the transformation of the daily lives of pa’umotu people. The aim of this paper is to precisely document Hokikakika’s history through missionary archives and oral testimonies, and confront it with the archaeological record, in order to gain a finer understanding of this crucial phase of Polynesian history.