Rotuman people

The Rotumans (Rotuman: Rotuạm; Fijian: Ro) are a Polynesian ethnic group native to Rotuma, an island group forming part of Fiji. The island itself is a cultural melting pot at the crossroads of the Micronesian, Melanesian and Polynesian divisions of the Pacific Ocean, and due to the seafaring nature of traditional Pacific cultures, the indigenous Rotuman have adopted or share many aspects of its multifaceted culture with its Melanesian, Micronesian and Polynesian neighbours.

==Ancestors== According to records, Rotuma was first inhabited by people from Tahiti Nui, the Marquesas Islands and Rapa Nui. At that time, it was known as 'Siria'. Little is known about the exact years of migration from these far-flung Eastern kingdoms. The only known information was that these three kingdoms used Rotuma as a royal burial ground for their kings and queens. The indigenous peoples of Tahiti Nui and Rapa Nui knew Rotuma as Siria because it was named after the star that lies directly above the island's location. Thus, the people prayed to Tagaroa Siria, meaning 'God of Siria'. To commemorate this ancient royal burial ground, a species of seaweed was adopted as a symbol of the blood ties between Tahiti Nui and Rotuma. This species of seaweed is a delicacy in the region, but only grows in Tahiti and Rotuma. A princess from Bora Bora gave this seaweed species.