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"lighten and uplift
them, so that they may soar on the wings of the Divine verses"
-Baha'u'llah
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Double
blessing for Cook Islands
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RAROTONGA,
Cook Islands, 14 December 2003 (BWNS) --
Two women -- from different countries but with
the same aim -- brought the Baha'i Faith to
these remote islands half a century ago.
As
part of an internationally co-ordinated effort
to spread the Baha'i Faith around the world,
Edith Danielsen, from the United States, and
Dulcie Dive, from New Zealand via Australia,
arrived here in 1953 and 1954 respectively.
Their
efforts soon bore fruit. In March 1955, two Cook
Islanders, Tuaine Karotaua (also known as Mr.
Peter Titi) followed by Rima Nicholas, became
Baha'is. A year later, the first Local Spiritual
Assembly was formed. The National Spiritual
Assembly of the Baha'is of the Cook Islands was
first elected in 1985. |
Historical trio...(Left to right) Rima
Nicholas, Tuaine Karotaua (Mr. Peter Titi),
Edith Danielsen. 1955.
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The stories
of these early Baha'is and those who followed were told
during the 50th jubilee celebrations held here from 10
to 15 October 2003.
More than
100 participated, including overseas visitors and
guests.
A
commemoration event on 14 October began with a
traditional welcome from Cook Islands Baha'i Nga
Makirere.
Mrs.
Makirere described how the message of both Jesus Christ
and Baha'u'llah arrived in the Cook Islands through the
island of Aitutaki, Mrs. Danielsen's first landing
point.
Among the
official guests at the jubilee were Queen Elizabeth's
representative to the Cook Islands, Frederick Goodwin,
and his wife, Ina Goodwin, the former representative,
Sir Apenera Short and Lady Short, and Prime Minister
Robert Woonton with his wife, Sue Woonton.
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Also
present were traditional tribal chiefs and a
representative from the country's Religious
Advisory Council.
During
his address, Sir Apenera commended the organizers
of the jubilee, and the Baha'is in general.
"I
praise you Baha'is for bringing your religion to
the Cook Islands," Sir Apenera said.
"I
pray God to take you to another 50 years, and God
will make that happen." |
Baha'i pioneer Nan Greenwood,95, (right) with
Lady Maui Short. |
Baha'i
speakers included Heather Simpson, a member of the
Continental Board of Counsellors, and Alan Wilcox,
chairman of the National Spiritual Assembly of the
Baha'is of New Zealand. The Baha'i communities of both
countries have close links.
Among the
guests were the brother and daughter of Tuaine Karotaua,
Papa Poreo Tavai Portoru and Te Oru Karotaua; a son of
Rima Nicholas, Albert Nicholas and his wife; and a
daughter of a prominent Baha'i, the late Pa Ariki, Chief
of Takitumu, Lily Henderson.
Also
present during the festivities were Baha'i pioneers Nan
Greenwood, from Canada, and Gwen Welland, from the
United States, who have lived in the Cook Islands since
1972 and 1962, respectively.
Musical celebrations... (Left to right) Kuhio
Rosa-Travis, Mona Matepi holding Akiva Griffin,
Papa Teata Makirere. |
Professor
Duane Varan of Australia gave talks on the Faith
to audiences comprising Baha'is and members of the
wider community.
The
events also included a devotional gathering that
opened with a prayer said in eight languages, and
featured children singing and readings from the
Baha'i holy writings. The program also included
reading messages of congratulations from Baha'is
overseas.
Other
highlights included a concert with singing,
drumming and dancing, and a visit to the island of
Aitutaki.
Georgie
Skeaff, who has compiled a record of the Cook
Islands Baha'i community, led a tour to historical
Baha'i landmarks, such as where Mrs. Danielsen and
Mrs. Dive first lived here. |
Mrs.
Skeaff's account tells how Mrs. Danielsen (1909- 1984)
was in San Francisco when she ran her finger over a map,
stopped it at the Cook Islands, and decided to go there.
She arrived in October 1953, and remained until 1958.
Mrs.
Danielsen was responding to a call by the then head of
the Faith, Shoghi Effendi, to move to places where there
were no Baha'is so that the spiritual benefits of
Baha'u'llah's teachings would be available to all.
An outgoing
personality, Mrs. Danielsen was also a talented musician
-- she played the organ to entertain guests -- and she
delighted in extending hospitality and teaching the
Baha'i Faith.
Edith Danielsen. |
Meanwhile,
Dulcie Dive (1909-1962), a member of the National
Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Australia and
New Zealand since 1944, left her adopted country
of Australia in 1954 to be a Baha'i pioneer in the
Cook Islands.
Mrs.
Skeaff said Mrs. Dive had a loving nature, which
attracted people to her. She is still spoken about
with affection in the Cook Islands.
As
first Baha'i arrivals, both Mrs. Danielsen and
Mrs. Dive were named Knights of Baha'u'llah by
Shoghi Effendi.
Mrs.
Skeaff's record also describes the first two
Baha'is in the Cook Islands and others who
followed. |
In 1956,
the first Cook Island Baha'i, Mr. Titi (1907-84) moved
to New Zealand where he came to be loved for his
spiritual insights, his happy personality and his
devotion to spreading the Baha'i message.
The first
Cook Island Baha'i woman, Mrs. Nicholas (1926-2000), had
been a star student, and became a popular singer and
instrumentalist, and a leader of the Girl Guides. She
greatly assisted the progress of the Faith by providing
her skills as a translator to Mrs. Danielsen.
Another
prominent Baha'i was Pa Tepaeru Terito Ariki
(1923-1990), who became a Baha'i after meeting Dulcie
Dive and Edith Danielsen. In 1978, Pa Terito inherited
her traditional chief's title. As Ariki (hereditary
chief) of Takitumu, she was able to reach many levels of
society, and she actively proclaimed the Faith in the
South Pacific.
Dulcie Dive. |
Te
Atamira Makirere was a clergyman when, in the face
of considerable local disapproval, he and his
wife, Nga, became Baha'is in 1977. Te Atamira,
also known as "Ta" or "Papa
Ta," lives on Aitutaki and is a member of the
National Spiritual Assembly.
There
were more than 100 pioneers in the Cook Islands
from 1953-2003, and more than 170 traveling
teachers.
Much
of the development of the Baha'i community has
been carried out in difficult circumstances.
In
1975, a law was enacted allowing only four
religious groups -- all Christian denominations --
to publicly teach their faith. This law was
repealed in 1978. |
In 1992,
four Baha'is formed a private pre-school, which has now
developed into a primary and intermediate school, Te Uki
O. There have been many other Baha'i-inspired projects
over the last 50 years. A current one is the "Cook
Islands Learning Disability Reading Program."
For the
last eight years, a popular Baha'i television program,
"Baha'i on Air," has screened at first weekly,
and now fortnightly, in Rarotonga.
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| Published in Bahá'í
World News Service |
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