Tembinok'

Tembinok'

Tembinok’, or Tem Binoka, (reigned 1878 – 10 November 1891) was the ruler of Abemama, Aranuka and Kuria, in the Gilbert Islands, during the late 19th century. Tembinok’'s grandfather, Teñkoruti (d. 1860), was the ruler of a village on Abemama, which was then experiencing devastating feuds. Teñkoruti extended his authority over the entire atoll, and established a dictatorship, ignoring the traditional authority of a "council of Old Men". Teñkoruti died about 1860. Teñkoruti left two sons, Tembinatake and Tembaitake (father of Tembinok’). Tembinatake conquered Aranuka and Kuria, then delegated absolute authority to his nephew Tembinok’.

Tembinok’ was the last truly independent and influential king of parts of the Gilbert islands, at a time when the Gilberts were being increasingly influenced by white settlers and traders. Tembinok’ resided on Abemama, and, unlike the rulers of neighbouring islands, did not allow outsiders to establish a permanent presence there. Tembinok’ controlled access to the atolls under his control and jealously guarded his revenue and his prerogatives as monarch. He briefly accepted the presence on Abemama of Tuppoti, a Christian missionary, then deported him for attempting to set up a copra trading business. In 1888, he granted Robert Louis Stevenson, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne the right to live temporarily on Abemama, on the condition that they did not give or sell money, liquor or tobacco to his subjects.

Robert Louis Stevenson, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson and Lloyd Osbourne returned to Abemama in July 1890 during their cruise on the trading steamer the Janet Nicoll.