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Penrhyn is the most far flung of the Cook Islands. It's nearly 850 miles North North East of the capital island, RAROTONGA, and lies just 9 degrees below the equator. At 7 miles wide and 15 miles long, it's also the largest atoll in the Group and one of the largest in the Pacific. Early Polynesian settlers called it Tongareva meaning "south of the empty space". And there's a lot empty space around it. The nearest neighbours are RAKAHANGA and MANIHIKI 200 miles to the southwest. The modern name comes from the ship, Lady Penrhyn which passed by the island on 8 August, 1878.

Penrhyn comprises a ring of coral 48 miles (77 km) around. Its superb lagoon covers 90 square miles (233 sq km) of which 24 (62 sq km) is covered with pearlshell. That and mother of pearl jewellery are among the main sources of income.

This is the only island in the Cooks without any ariki or paramount chiefs. The entire hierarchy disappeared in the late 1800s when Peruvian labour traders arrived on the island and shipped hundreds of men, women and children to the mines of Peru with the blessing of the island's missionaries. Over 80% of the population was never seen again.

Penrhyn Pastimes

Ping pong on this island is a type of group date, where a man and a woman each invites a "team" of four friends to the beach. They then pair off in couples if they feel so inclined. The "Christmas Games" are allegedly for "cleaning, cooking and dancing", and usually involve unattached residents. First the women move one village west for a week. After the new year, the men move one village east for a week. When the "chores" are done, all return home. The birthrate on Penrhyn is the highest in the Cook Islands.

Source: Cook Islands Companion Author Elliot Smith,
Pacific Publishing Company, Albany, California.