Keata, The Girl Who Dared
The Marquesan cultural leader Débora Kimitete and I are co-authoring this historical fiction novel inspired by Marquesan history, mythology and my own ethnographic research with islanders of all ages.
The Twitter pitch:
The Marquesas Islands, 1300 AD. Thirteen-year-old Keata yearns to defy tribal tradition and become a warrior, despite the risk. When her cousin disappears, she sets off into the mountains to find him. Will she ever return?
Keata’s journey takes her through the high and rugged mountains of Hiva Oa, where she must sleep in caves and avoid detection by other tribes. Threatened by wild boars and rapidly running out of food, she risks her life repeatedly in her desperate attempt to save her cousin, Tehei.
But the Tehei she discovers has changed. And so has Keata.
Keata’s island of Hiva Oa is one of the most storied in the Marquesas. Today the historic site of Iipona, in the valley of Puamau, draws tens of thousands of tourists each year.
Where is Keata now?
Still in process, but almost there.
Keata is about 60,000 words and it will be published in English, French and Marquesan. My co-author Débora* is currently translating it into French. After that Marie Teikitohe,** a Marquesan pursuing her masters at the University of French Polynesia, will translate it into Marquesan.
*Débora was featured in a 2023 film series about the Marquesas that was made by journalist Jennifer Kingsley. Watch this episode to see Débora in her element, speaking about Marquesan cultural revitalization and visiting the historic site of Koueva on her home island of Nuku Hiva.
**Here is Marie speaking (in French) about the opening of a new research complex at the University of French Polynesia. She shares her excitement to see facilities that will encourage and support more student researchers and advance expertise on the islands of French Polynesia.
