Long Noses of Maiana

 

Maiana is only a 10 minute plane ride from South Tarawa, which makes it a convenient weekend getaway as long as the plane comes back on Sunday. I decided to go for a visit when I heard about how the people there are famous for the lies they tell, black magic and powers over rain. It is also President Anote Tong's home island.



Airport

 The weekend started off well with a nice welcome at the airport and quick introduction to the caretaker of the local council hotel who took me to my accommodation on his motorbike.



Perfume Sprayers

On the way, we passed a group that offered to spray us with perfume in exchange for money.




The president's house

We drove past the president's house which wasn't much to write home about-- a small buia that needed maintenance.

After spending a more than a weekend on Maiana as it turns out, I can confirm that the people there do have long noses. It poured the entire time--the road was a big river and the plane from Tarawa would not come back on Sunday as scheduled because of the weather. No amount of Maiana magic could stop the rain. To make matters even worse,


Child enjoying a rainwater shower.

the locals do not fish when it rains, so on an island surrounded by some of the best fish on the planet, I ate noodles!


Black Magic Fish Wizard

I visited a man well known for his black magic spells who told me that he had killed a lot of people by composing songs for his customers to sing to bury their enemies.

However, on the way home, the hotel caretaker told me that the only spells he casts are those over fish traps.






Bride and Groom

Wedding Guests

I was invited to a wedding which was an entertaining instruction on how to seduce your lover. Everyone actively and I do mean actively participated.

 

The next day a truck went up and down the island's only road with screaming kids holding symbolic red sheets of the bride's virginity. It's up to you if want to believe that one.

 

If you do go to Maiana I would recommend staying somewhere besides the local council if you can.

 

The rooms at the council were crawling with scary looking bugs and the toilet did not work and hasn't for a long long time. The pigs that seemed to be taking over the place were very friendly on the other hand. This one took a real liking to me and kept following me around and kissing my feet.