Rapa Rapa: Difference between revisions

Rapa Rapa was settled by prehistoric [[Polynesian people]] with a range of dates proposed beginning around 1000 BC with the upper limit being around 600 BC, when nearby [[Truk]] was settled. Whenever it was settled, the island coalesced generally into about five distinct villages, all of which survive today as parts of Rapa Rapa City: Waka Aiwiaka, Waka Ruaiihai, Waka Tiati, Waka Haetae, and Waka Wokolo. "Waka" is the local language name for "canoe", implying that each village was founded by a separate family settling as soon as they came ashore. The five villages existed in a state of political and economic equilibrium until the 13th century. Historians generally believe the villages kept to themselves in terms of marriage and social relationships, with extensive rituals required for individuals from another village to be integrated in. However, geneticists argue the island could not have sustained enough genetic diversity to survive if inter-village restrictions were heavily enforced, implying that some periods saw more lax enforcement of social norms than other periods.