Fale is an
islet
An islet ( ) is generally a small island. Definitions vary, and are not precise, but some suggest that an islet is a very small, often unnamed, island with little or no vegetation to support human habitation. It may be made of rock, sand and/ ...
of
Nukufetau
Nukufetau is an atoll that is part of the nation of Tuvalu. The atoll was claimed by the US under the Guano Islands Act some time in the 19th century and was ceded in a treaty of friendship concluded in 1979 and coming into force in 1983. It h ...
,
Tuvalu
Tuvalu ( ) is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (which belong to the Solomon Islands), northeast of Van ...
.
The traditional history of Nukufetau recalls that in order to protect the atoll from raiders from
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is an island country in Polynesia, part of Oceania. The country has 171 islands, of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in the southern Pacific Ocean. accordin ...
, Lagitupu and Laupapa, two aliki (chiefs) protected Fale.
Lagitupu and Laupapa created a trap at a place still called Tututekolo, which was beside a path which led to the beach, where they would surprise the raiders and spear them or split their skulls with an axe made from shells.
In the late 19th century, after the coming of the missionaries, the people of Nukufetau lived on Fale before shifting to
Savave
Savave is a village and islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu
Tuvalu ( ) is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (w ...
, an islet on the lagoon side of the Fale and Laupapa settlement.
Historic grave sites have been found on Fale.
Food is grown on Fale, supplying to the main village on neighbouring
Savave
Savave is a village and islet of Nukufetau, Tuvalu
Tuvalu ( ) is an island country in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean, about midway between Hawaii and Australia. It lies east-northeast of the Santa Cruz Islands (w ...
. The main products are
pulaka (a root crop) and pigs.
References
Islands of Tuvalu
Pacific islands claimed under the Guano Islands Act
Nukufetau
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