A'ua'u Enua performs their Pe'e at Te Maeva Nui NZ 2021.
Their Pe'e is based on the historic event of supreme temporal power, lords, Chiefs & rulers of Mangaia. It covers the subject of the violent past Mangaian Society had before Christianity arrived.
Before the arrival of the missionaries, Mangaia was an island of violent warriors fighting for the title of leader of the island.
Bloodshed & land wars were fought furiously. All lands were divided up among the victors. There was severe Bloodshed in villages because the people were dissatisfied with decisions made by their rulers / lords. The last ruler (in that era), Pangemiro, died shortly after the missionaries arrival.
In 1823, missionaries arrived & the abolition of war under Christianity effectively froze the power structure, the division of land & titles in the state they had been in at that time. Numangatini Ariki became dominant, with the title alternating between two branches of the family.
Since Numangatini Ariki, Mangaian people have lived peacefully without land wars & bloodshed. This has allowed the people to follow one leader. In time “Aronga Mana” (composed of Numangatini & 6 Chiefs (Kavana’s) representing the six villages in Mangaia) rules the island & still to this day.