Teriʻitariʻa I (c. 1765–1793) was the king of the islands of Huahine and Maia'o.
Biography
The writings of the navigators tell us that Teriitaria I was approximately eight years old in September 1773 when Georg Forster encountered him.[1] By October 1777, Captain James Cook noted that he was no older than twelve and recorded that his father had died in a battle against Puni, the chief of Borabora, who had conquered Tahaa and a few years before his first trip to the "Society Islands" in 1769, Raiatea.[2][3] Teriitaria I was therefore born around 1765.[4] He was the te "Ari'i rahi", or supreme chief of Huahine. During his minority, Chief Oree assumed the role of his protector and regent. Oree held the regency until he was compelled to relinquish it in 1777.[5] As acting chief, Oree would also be Teriitaria's uncle.[6] He was described by Georg Forster as an elderly man, likely between fifty and sixty years of age.[7] According to Omai, the brother of Oree was called Tereroa.[8]
In January 1791, James Morrison (mutineer) reported that he had received information from a resident of Huahine stating that the muskets belonging to Omai were in the possession of a chief who was his friend (called Tenania, brother of Teriitaria king of Huahine).The information is subject to interpretation. Due to the lack of precise information, it is commonly accepted—barring new discoveries—that Teriitaria I was no longer the "Ari'i rahi" by 1790 and that power was exercised on the islands of Huahine and Maia'o by the sons of Mato: Tenania also called Ariipaea and especially Mahine Teheiura also called Puru.[9][10]
In a document dated July 16, 1849, genealogist Taitete Mare wrote that Rohianuu was united with Teioatua v. (v. means vahine), and Teriitaria I was born to them. Rohianuu died, and his wife became the wife of his brother Mato, with whom she had Turaiarii, the ancestor of Pomare in Huahine. Mato was united with a new wife, Tetuaveroa, and they had two sons: Tenania and then Teheiura, the ancestor of Ariipeu v. in Huahine. Tenania was united with with Tohemai, and they had Turaiarii v.. Later, Tenania was united with Vairaatoa v., and they had Teriiaetua v.. Teriitaria v. is the daughter of Turaiarii v. and Tamatoa[11][12]
The transfer of power from Teriitaria to Mato's sons, Tenania and Mahine, was described by Chesneau and Marcantoni in 1928. It followed Tehaapapa’s refusal to cede the royalty of the island of Maiao to Moohono’s grandsons from the union of his daughter Tetuaveroa with Mato. After Moohono defeated Tehaapapa’s forces and dethroned her, he sought to enthrone his grandsons as Ariʻi Rahi (Supreme Chiefs) of Huahine and Maiao on the marae Taputapuatea of Raiatea, which was under the control of Chief Puni from Borabora. However, Moohono and Mato’s attempt to seize control of the marae led to their defeat and death in the battle of Hooroto in Raiatea circa 1780. After Moohono’s death, Fatuarai made five unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the office for her son Teriitaria. As a result of these struggles power fell into the hands of Mahine and Tenania circa 1790. Ultimately, Tenania, after marrying Itia in Tahiti, transferred the chieftainship of Huahine and Maiao to his brother Mahine. The fate of the deposed Teriʻitaria remains unknown.[13][14]
Historian Teuira Henry, in her work published in 1928, reported that Rohianuu was united with Tehaapapa I Teioatua Teriitaria, and their son Teriitaria I. was born. After Rohianuu’s death, his widow became the first wife of Mato, with whom she had Teriitaria t. and then Turaiarii Ehevahine. By his second wife, Tetuaveroa, the daughter of Moohono, Mato had three children: Tenania t.; then Mahine Teheiura t. who became king of Huahine and was fifteen years old when captain James Cook visited Huahine in 1777 ; and finally Rereao v. Teriitaria II is the daughter of Turaiarii Ehevahine and Tamatoa Fao.[15][16][17]
Chesneau, Joseph (August 1928). "Notes sur Huahine et autres Iles-Sous-le-Vent". Bulletin de la Société des Études Océaniennes (in French) (26). Papeete: Société des Études Océaniennes: 81–98. OCLC9510786. Archived from the original on 27 November 2019. Retrieved 27 November 2019.
Pichevin, Bernard (2013). Généalogies et Histoire de Tahiti et des îles de la Société (in French). Tahiti: Au vent des îles. ISBN978-2-36734-008-1.
Pichevin, Bernard (2010). "E parau no te tupuna o te mau arii no Raiatea". Bulletin de la Société des Études Océaniennes (in French) (318). Papeete: Société des Études Océaniennes.
Saura, Bruno (2005). Huahine aux temps anciens. Cahiers du patrimoine. Vol. 8. Papeete: Service de la Culture et du Patrimoine de la Polynésie française. ISBN978-2-9124-0902-7.
Saura, Bruno (2003). La lignée royale des Tama-toa de Ra'iātea (Îles-sous-le-Vent). Cahiers du patrimoine. Vol. 5. Papeete: Ministère de la Culture de Polynésie française.
