The Kingdom of Abemama was an early modern polity in the Gilbert Islands, ruled by the Tuangaona clan, which conquered Abemama, Kuria, and Aranuka in the 18th century. Its monarch held the title uea (king). In the 19th century, King Baiteke responded to growing European contact by killing foreigners, closing his borders, and restricting trade to his own clan. His son and successor, King Binoka, adopted a more accomodating stance and hosted the writers Fanny and Robert Louis Stevenson, who profiled the king in In the South Seas (1896).
In 1892, Captain Edward H. M. Davis of the HMS Royalist toured the Gilbert Islands to declare the establishment of a British protectorate. Upon arriving in Abemama, he found that King Binoka had died and had been succeeded by his 10-year-old son, Bauro (Paul), who lacked the authority to resist British annexation. With Davis's proclaimation, the Kingdom of Abemama was effectively dissolved. Though the family has continued the title of uea to the present day – it is currently held by an elderly kava bar owner – it now bears little significance.
Sometime during the 17th century, Kuria and Aranuka were conquered by the Abemaman warriors, and the kingdom was proclaimed.[citation needed]
In 1882, contact with the British was made, most notably Robert Louis Stevenson,[1] who was a friend of Binoka. Shortly after this interaction, Abemama gave up its sovereignty and was declared as part of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate. British control over the atoll was only in name, as Abemama kept its traditional monarchy as its high chief, like many other atolls in the region.[citation needed]
Before Binoka ascended to the throne of the kingdom, the population of Abemama and the surrounding atolls were far greater than what they are today. However, due to Binoka's "extreme cruelty", the population was greatly reduced.[1]
As Binoka grew older, he realised he would not have a son of his own. Therefore, he adopted Bauro.[1] At the adoption ceremony, the feet of the child were cut in order to release the Rang or labor class blood. Shortly after Bauro was adopted, Binoka died, and his brother Timon acted as a regent for the young Bauro. Once Bauro was on the throne, he reigned over an uneventful period.[citation needed]
Once Bauro died, his son Tekinaiti was the heir, and served as king until 1944, when a minority movement began in Abemama to have him renounce his position in favor of Taburimai. The reason behind the movement was that Tekinaiti failed to interest himself in the welfare of his subjects and had acted in a manner that did not command respect.[1]
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