PA TEPAERU ARIKI
(Lady Davis)
1922-1990
It is recorded in a letter from Edith Danielson dated 21 January 1960 that: "Pa Ariki,
queen of the Ngatangiia District of Rarotonga Cook Islands, has become a Baha'i".
Edith became acquainted with Pa Ariki in 1953, shortly after Edith had arrived in
Rarotonga. "She was one of the very few who asked about the Faith," Edith wrote: She
read Baha'u'llah and the New Era. Before long she was speaking of the Faith and
expounding its principles far and wide. One day I asked her why it was that she
believed but did not affiliate. She had two problems. One was being of the nobility.
It was her ancestors who had welcomed the first Christian missionaries (London
Missionary Society) to the island and became pillars of the church. The second
problem was that by tradition, if she were to change her religion, at least the elders
of her district would be duty bound to follow where she led and this was not the
Baha'i way of independent choice. I remember the many star-spangled evenings
and even rainy nights we drove about the island talking, finally ending up
in her front yard sitting in the little car, talking until two or three in the morning
about the Faith, the world, the education of people. Once she asked permission to
use Baha'i material in a talk she was going to give. On Sunday afternoon or
evening each village holds a meeting at which a speaker is elected to pose questions
prepared by the Oramatua (minister), and one question of his own, then general
discussion follows. Pa had been asked many times but had always refused. She
said she had never felt she knew anything about God and was not qualified to speak
but 'now,' she said, 'I know something about Him and I want to tell it! ' When I
bade her a reluctant farewell in March 1958 she said, 'I think I will be a Baha'i
some day, but there are some things I feel I must work out in my mind.'
Pa Tepaeru Ariki became a Baha'i on 4 October 1959.
Tepaeru had been born 14 August 1922. Her mother was Takirikou Potikitaua Manarangi,
of Rua-o-te-Tonga, and her father was Taike Ariki Mitiau, of Takitumu. Tepaeru
was only nine years old when she received the title of Pa Ariki. From that time on she
knew that she would become the Takitumu leader and was trained accordingly. She received
her education in New Zealand.
In later years she became the distinguished resident of the House of Ariki-the house
of the traditional chiefs-and was affectionately known by her people as "Aunty Pa."
"During the 30 years that I knew Pa Ariki," Suhayl 'Ala'i recalls, "I witnessed the
love and affection she showered upon everyone in her charming and joyful manner. She
was so proud of her extended family. "On my visits to the Cook Islands she
would often say to me, 'Let us walk through the town and meet some of my people'. We
would walk through Avarue, stopping here and there, and she would introduce many
of her family and friends.
Pa Ariki was a staunch and outspoken defender of her ideals. Her membership in
the Baha'i community and her familiarity with its principles greatly influenced her
way of thinking. She strongly supported the rights of women, the ideal of the oneness
of humanity, the oneness of religion, and the rights of the individual.During the hours
that we sat and talked, she often expressed her great desire for
her people to advance and her islands to prosper. She was immensely proud of her
heritage.
In 1984, the people of Samoa welcomed Pa Tepaeru Ariki for the dedication of the
Baha'i House of Worship near Apia. On that occasion she insisted on remaining with the
Cook Islands contingent at a simple dwelling, rather than an accommodation for dignitaries
as befitted her rank. This was typical of her humble attitude.
She was a member of the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Te Au O Tonga and Takitumu.
In 1985, she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands.
Pa Ariki rendered many important services to the Baha'i Faith, attended many conferences
and represented the Cook Islands in the Pacific. In 1985, she presented the Proclamation
of Baha'u'llah to the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice and the National Assembly of the Cook Islands.
The climax of her life came in 1986, when, accompanied by her distinguished husband,
Sir Thomas Davis, then Prime Minister, she paid a visit to the Holy Land and the Universal
House of Justice at its seat on Mount Carmel, followed by a brief pilgrimage to
the Baha'i holy places.
Ever mindful of her position in Cook Islands society, Pa Ariki often called attention
to a passage from the Tablets of Baha'u'llah addressed to the kings and rulers of the
world:
Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on
your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves ... Thus We unfold
to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye but perceived. Your people are your
treasures.
These words governed all her actions. Pa Tepaeru Ariki passed away suddenly
on 2 Februaty 1990 at the age of 67 while on a visit to New Zealand. The Cook Island
News reported: "As day breaks tomorrow, Rarotonga will be half way through eight
hours of solemn ceremonies to mark the return home of the late Pa Tepaeru Ariki,
Lady Davis."
She was accorded the largest state funeral ever seen in the Cook Islands and the only
one recognised by an official day of mourning.
LILIAN 'ALA.'I
(Lady Davis)
1922-1990
It is recorded in a letter from Edith Danielson dated 21 January 1960 that: "Pa Ariki,
queen of the Ngatangiia District of Rarotonga Cook Islands, has become a Baha'i".
Edith became acquainted with Pa Ariki in 1953, shortly after Edith had arrived in
Rarotonga. "She was one of the very few who asked about the Faith," Edith wrote: She
read Baha'u'llah and the New Era. Before long she was speaking of the Faith and
expounding its principles far and wide. One day I asked her why it was that she
believed but did not affiliate. She had two problems. One was being of the nobility.
It was her ancestors who had welcomed the first Christian missionaries (London
Missionary Society) to the island and became pillars of the church. The second
problem was that by tradition, if she were to change her religion, at least the elders
of her district would be duty bound to follow where she led and this was not the
Baha'i way of independent choice. I remember the many star-spangled evenings
and even rainy nights we drove about the island talking, finally ending up
in her front yard sitting in the little car, talking until two or three in the morning
about the Faith, the world, the education of people. Once she asked permission to
use Baha'i material in a talk she was going to give. On Sunday afternoon or
evening each village holds a meeting at which a speaker is elected to pose questions
prepared by the Oramatua (minister), and one question of his own, then general
discussion follows. Pa had been asked many times but had always refused. She
said she had never felt she knew anything about God and was not qualified to speak
but 'now,' she said, 'I know something about Him and I want to tell it! ' When I
bade her a reluctant farewell in March 1958 she said, 'I think I will be a Baha'i
some day, but there are some things I feel I must work out in my mind.'
Pa Tepaeru Ariki became a Baha'i on 4 October 1959.
Tepaeru had been born 14 August 1922. Her mother was Takirikou Potikitaua Manarangi,
of Rua-o-te-Tonga, and her father was Taike Ariki Mitiau, of Takitumu. Tepaeru
was only nine years old when she received the title of Pa Ariki. From that time on she
knew that she would become the Takitumu leader and was trained accordingly. She received
her education in New Zealand.
In later years she became the distinguished resident of the House of Ariki-the house
of the traditional chiefs-and was affectionately known by her people as "Aunty Pa."
"During the 30 years that I knew Pa Ariki," Suhayl 'Ala'i recalls, "I witnessed the
love and affection she showered upon everyone in her charming and joyful manner. She
was so proud of her extended family. "On my visits to the Cook Islands she
would often say to me, 'Let us walk through the town and meet some of my people'. We
would walk through Avarue, stopping here and there, and she would introduce many
of her family and friends.
Pa Ariki was a staunch and outspoken defender of her ideals. Her membership in
the Baha'i community and her familiarity with its principles greatly influenced her
way of thinking. She strongly supported the rights of women, the ideal of the oneness
of humanity, the oneness of religion, and the rights of the individual.During the hours
that we sat and talked, she often expressed her great desire for
her people to advance and her islands to prosper. She was immensely proud of her
heritage.
In 1984, the people of Samoa welcomed Pa Tepaeru Ariki for the dedication of the
Baha'i House of Worship near Apia. On that occasion she insisted on remaining with the
Cook Islands contingent at a simple dwelling, rather than an accommodation for dignitaries
as befitted her rank. This was typical of her humble attitude.
She was a member of the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Te Au O Tonga and Takitumu.
In 1985, she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands.
Pa Ariki rendered many important services to the Baha'i Faith, attended many conferences
and represented the Cook Islands in the Pacific. In 1985, she presented the Proclamation
of Baha'u'llah to the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice and the National Assembly of the Cook Islands.
The climax of her life came in 1986, when, accompanied by her distinguished husband,
Sir Thomas Davis, then Prime Minister, she paid a visit to the Holy Land and the Universal
House of Justice at its seat on Mount Carmel, followed by a brief pilgrimage to
the Baha'i holy places.
Ever mindful of her position in Cook Islands society, Pa Ariki often called attention
to a passage from the Tablets of Baha'u'llah addressed to the kings and rulers of the
world:
Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on
your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves ... Thus We unfold
to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye but perceived. Your people are your
treasures.
These words governed all her actions. Pa Tepaeru Ariki passed away suddenly
on 2 Februaty 1990 at the age of 67 while on a visit to New Zealand. The Cook Island
News reported: "As day breaks tomorrow, Rarotonga will be half way through eight
hours of solemn ceremonies to mark the return home of the late Pa Tepaeru Ariki,
Lady Davis."
She was accorded the largest state funeral ever seen in the Cook Islands and the only
one recognised by an official day of mourning.
LILIAN 'ALA.'I
PA TEPAERU ARIKI
(Lady Davis)
1922-1990
It is recorded in a letter from Edith Danielson dated 21 January 1960 that: "Pa Ariki,
queen of the Ngatangiia District of Rarotonga Cook Islands, has become a Baha'i".
Edith became acquainted with Pa Ariki in 1953, shortly after Edith had arrived in
Rarotonga. "She was one of the very few who asked about the Faith," Edith wrote: She
read Baha'u'llah and the New Era. Before long she was speaking of the Faith and
expounding its principles far and wide. One day I asked her why it was that she
believed but did not affiliate. She had two problems. One was being of the nobility.
It was her ancestors who had welcomed the first Christian missionaries (London
Missionary Society) to the island and became pillars of the church. The second
problem was that by tradition, if she were to change her religion, at least the elders
of her district would be duty bound to follow where she led and this was not the
Baha'i way of independent choice. I remember the many star-spangled evenings
and even rainy nights we drove about the island talking, finally ending up
in her front yard sitting in the little car, talking until two or three in the morning
about the Faith, the world, the education of people. Once she asked permission to
use Baha'i material in a talk she was going to give. On Sunday afternoon or
evening each village holds a meeting at which a speaker is elected to pose questions
prepared by the Oramatua (minister), and one question of his own, then general
discussion follows. Pa had been asked many times but had always refused. She
said she had never felt she knew anything about God and was not qualified to speak
but 'now,' she said, 'I know something about Him and I want to tell it! ' When I
bade her a reluctant farewell in March 1958 she said, 'I think I will be a Baha'i
some day, but there are some things I feel I must work out in my mind.'
Pa Tepaeru Ariki became a Baha'i on 4 October 1959.
Tepaeru had been born 14 August 1922. Her mother was Takirikou Potikitaua Manarangi,
of Rua-o-te-Tonga, and her father was Taike Ariki Mitiau, of Takitumu. Tepaeru
was only nine years old when she received the title of Pa Ariki. From that time on she
knew that she would become the Takitumu leader and was trained accordingly. She received
her education in New Zealand.
In later years she became the distinguished resident of the House of Ariki-the house
of the traditional chiefs-and was affectionately known by her people as "Aunty Pa."
"During the 30 years that I knew Pa Ariki," Suhayl 'Ala'i recalls, "I witnessed the
love and affection she showered upon everyone in her charming and joyful manner. She
was so proud of her extended family. "On my visits to the Cook Islands she
would often say to me, 'Let us walk through the town and meet some of my people'. We
would walk through Avarue, stopping here and there, and she would introduce many
of her family and friends.
Pa Ariki was a staunch and outspoken defender of her ideals. Her membership in
the Baha'i community and her familiarity with its principles greatly influenced her
way of thinking. She strongly supported the rights of women, the ideal of the oneness
of humanity, the oneness of religion, and the rights of the individual.During the hours
that we sat and talked, she often expressed her great desire for
her people to advance and her islands to prosper. She was immensely proud of her
heritage.
In 1984, the people of Samoa welcomed Pa Tepaeru Ariki for the dedication of the
Baha'i House of Worship near Apia. On that occasion she insisted on remaining with the
Cook Islands contingent at a simple dwelling, rather than an accommodation for dignitaries
as befitted her rank. This was typical of her humble attitude.
She was a member of the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Te Au O Tonga and Takitumu.
In 1985, she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands.
Pa Ariki rendered many important services to the Baha'i Faith, attended many conferences
and represented the Cook Islands in the Pacific. In 1985, she presented the Proclamation
of Baha'u'llah to the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice and the National Assembly of the Cook Islands.
The climax of her life came in 1986, when, accompanied by her distinguished husband,
Sir Thomas Davis, then Prime Minister, she paid a visit to the Holy Land and the Universal
House of Justice at its seat on Mount Carmel, followed by a brief pilgrimage to
the Baha'i holy places.
Ever mindful of her position in Cook Islands society, Pa Ariki often called attention
to a passage from the Tablets of Baha'u'llah addressed to the kings and rulers of the
world:
Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on
your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves ... Thus We unfold
to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye but perceived. Your people are your
treasures.
These words governed all her actions. Pa Tepaeru Ariki passed away suddenly
on 2 Februaty 1990 at the age of 67 while on a visit to New Zealand. The Cook Island
News reported: "As day breaks tomorrow, Rarotonga will be half way through eight
hours of solemn ceremonies to mark the return home of the late Pa Tepaeru Ariki,
Lady Davis."
She was accorded the largest state funeral ever seen in the Cook Islands and the only
one recognised by an official day of mourning.
LILIAN 'ALA.'I
(Lady Davis)
1922-1990
It is recorded in a letter from Edith Danielson dated 21 January 1960 that: "Pa Ariki,
queen of the Ngatangiia District of Rarotonga Cook Islands, has become a Baha'i".
Edith became acquainted with Pa Ariki in 1953, shortly after Edith had arrived in
Rarotonga. "She was one of the very few who asked about the Faith," Edith wrote: She
read Baha'u'llah and the New Era. Before long she was speaking of the Faith and
expounding its principles far and wide. One day I asked her why it was that she
believed but did not affiliate. She had two problems. One was being of the nobility.
It was her ancestors who had welcomed the first Christian missionaries (London
Missionary Society) to the island and became pillars of the church. The second
problem was that by tradition, if she were to change her religion, at least the elders
of her district would be duty bound to follow where she led and this was not the
Baha'i way of independent choice. I remember the many star-spangled evenings
and even rainy nights we drove about the island talking, finally ending up
in her front yard sitting in the little car, talking until two or three in the morning
about the Faith, the world, the education of people. Once she asked permission to
use Baha'i material in a talk she was going to give. On Sunday afternoon or
evening each village holds a meeting at which a speaker is elected to pose questions
prepared by the Oramatua (minister), and one question of his own, then general
discussion follows. Pa had been asked many times but had always refused. She
said she had never felt she knew anything about God and was not qualified to speak
but 'now,' she said, 'I know something about Him and I want to tell it! ' When I
bade her a reluctant farewell in March 1958 she said, 'I think I will be a Baha'i
some day, but there are some things I feel I must work out in my mind.'
Pa Tepaeru Ariki became a Baha'i on 4 October 1959.
Tepaeru had been born 14 August 1922. Her mother was Takirikou Potikitaua Manarangi,
of Rua-o-te-Tonga, and her father was Taike Ariki Mitiau, of Takitumu. Tepaeru
was only nine years old when she received the title of Pa Ariki. From that time on she
knew that she would become the Takitumu leader and was trained accordingly. She received
her education in New Zealand.
In later years she became the distinguished resident of the House of Ariki-the house
of the traditional chiefs-and was affectionately known by her people as "Aunty Pa."
"During the 30 years that I knew Pa Ariki," Suhayl 'Ala'i recalls, "I witnessed the
love and affection she showered upon everyone in her charming and joyful manner. She
was so proud of her extended family. "On my visits to the Cook Islands she
would often say to me, 'Let us walk through the town and meet some of my people'. We
would walk through Avarue, stopping here and there, and she would introduce many
of her family and friends.
Pa Ariki was a staunch and outspoken defender of her ideals. Her membership in
the Baha'i community and her familiarity with its principles greatly influenced her
way of thinking. She strongly supported the rights of women, the ideal of the oneness
of humanity, the oneness of religion, and the rights of the individual.During the hours
that we sat and talked, she often expressed her great desire for
her people to advance and her islands to prosper. She was immensely proud of her
heritage.
In 1984, the people of Samoa welcomed Pa Tepaeru Ariki for the dedication of the
Baha'i House of Worship near Apia. On that occasion she insisted on remaining with the
Cook Islands contingent at a simple dwelling, rather than an accommodation for dignitaries
as befitted her rank. This was typical of her humble attitude.
She was a member of the Local Spiritual Assemblies of Te Au O Tonga and Takitumu.
In 1985, she was elected to the first National Spiritual Assembly of the Cook Islands.
Pa Ariki rendered many important services to the Baha'i Faith, attended many conferences
and represented the Cook Islands in the Pacific. In 1985, she presented the Proclamation
of Baha'u'llah to the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands on behalf of the Universal
House of Justice and the National Assembly of the Cook Islands.
The climax of her life came in 1986, when, accompanied by her distinguished husband,
Sir Thomas Davis, then Prime Minister, she paid a visit to the Holy Land and the Universal
House of Justice at its seat on Mount Carmel, followed by a brief pilgrimage to
the Baha'i holy places.
Ever mindful of her position in Cook Islands society, Pa Ariki often called attention
to a passage from the Tablets of Baha'u'llah addressed to the kings and rulers of the
world:
Fear the sighs and tears of this Wronged One, and lay not excessive burdens on
your peoples. Do not rob them to rear palaces for yourselves ... Thus We unfold
to your eyes that which profiteth you, if ye but perceived. Your people are your
treasures.
These words governed all her actions. Pa Tepaeru Ariki passed away suddenly
on 2 Februaty 1990 at the age of 67 while on a visit to New Zealand. The Cook Island
News reported: "As day breaks tomorrow, Rarotonga will be half way through eight
hours of solemn ceremonies to mark the return home of the late Pa Tepaeru Ariki,
Lady Davis."
She was accorded the largest state funeral ever seen in the Cook Islands and the only
one recognised by an official day of mourning.
LILIAN 'ALA.'I
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