Tui Tokelau Coral Slab

Before missionaries reached Tokelau the atolls worshipped Tui Tokelau, and on Fakaofo the god was represented by a slab of coral set upright in the village and dressed with fine mats at the annual ceremony. The slab is still standing. It is one of very few physical traces of the pre-Christian religion left anywhere in the group, and it sits among the houses on Fale rather than apart from them.

The main sights

• The upright slab - the coral stone standing in the village.
• The pre-Christian role - the focus of worship before the missions.
• The village setting - the stone standing among the houses.
• The rarity - one of few such traces surviving in Tokelau.

When to go

May to October is drier and calmer. Ships from Samoa run every few weeks at best. The stone is there year round.

Things to know

This is a site of real significance to the community and not a curiosity; ask before approaching or photographing. Fale islet is small and crowded. There is no interpretation of any kind.

Nearby

Fenua Fala is across the lagoon, and the village is around it.