ROtokas Language

 
 

Interview with Junias Repairer

Rotokas Regional overview

Rotokas is a region in the north east of Bougainville Island. It is famous for being the region where the Upe is worn. The Upe is the symbol on the Bougainville flag but it is actually a sacred head piece worn by men to mark the end of their 3-year initiation into adulthood. The region is also famous for having the highest peak - Mt Balbi is a volcano reaching 2700m altitude - and the stunning Tongarau Waterfall is about 60m high! You can learn more about this region in this video interview with local elder, Junias Repiriri

 

rotokas Language

Less famous is the unique Rotokas Language. Spoken by just 4300 people, the Central Rotokas dialect is believed to have the smallest sound system in the world with just 12 letters: AEIOU PTKVRGS. Compare this to English which has 40 sounds. The sentence structure usually follows the pattern with the subject first and the verb at the end.

The language is an important part of the cultural identity but there are fears it will get lost. Here are some words which you might like to try using:

  • atarito - fish

  • kaakau - doguukoa - water

  • aioa - food

  • koro - fruit

  • aio - eat

  • ava - go

  • avuruva - fly

  • ari - yes

  • siraovira - sorry

  • taki loki - a rainy day when no-one can work!

  • kekira - moon

  • ravireo - sun

  • oiraro - man

  • avuo - woman

  • aite - father

  • aako - mother

  • kakaeto - child

  • siposipopato - teacher

  • tuitui - fire

  • ebaoto - tree

  • kokioto - bird

Thank you to Henry Rerevaite, Rotokas, Central Bougainville for providing this information.