Harpoon in my Hand

Ostensibly, this is a book about New Zealand author Olaf Ruhen travelling to Tonga and engaging in the traditional whale hunting that still took place in the 1960s. But while this is the primary story line, the book is far more wide ranging in its detail.

In an earlier book, Minerva Reef, Ruhen tells the story of the Tongan cutter Tuaikaepau, sailing from Tonga to Auckland, that ran aground on South Minerva Reef in 1962. The Tongan crew were trapped on the reef for over a hundred days before they were rescued.

The reason for referring to this other book, is that the majority of those Tongan men were back in Tonga, and formed the largest part of the whaling crew that Ruhen joined - in fact he had befriended many of the men in the writing of his book, and they had encouraged him to come to Tonga.

Whaling in the traditional way had interested Ruhen. While I am in no way, shape or form a supporter, when it comes to traditional techniques (without explosive harpoon charges) and limited to a manged quantity, I think this is the least challenging reason for whaling. Certainly the Japanese ‘scientific research' excuse is unacceptable in any way. We must also remember this book was published in 1966, and I am pleased to have discovered that whaling was made illegal in Tonga in 1978, which consigns this book to history.

As I mentioned, this book covers far more than a whaling season. Initially on arrival, Ruhen and David Fifita (the captain of the boat lost on Minerva Reef) set about to buy a dilapidated boat and refurbish it in time for the whaling season. They enlist men who will become the crew and work with the minimal tools and equipment available to them. As the near completion on the boat they must also make harpoons, obtain ropes and other equipment and pass a rigorous inspection to obtain a licence.

During all of this, and the whaling season in which Ruhen participates, we learn a lot more about the men and Tongan culture in general. Ruhen is well accepted on the islands, treated as an honoured guest and is welcome to participate in their lives. There is much to be learned from this book about the Tongan people, and how they differ from other Polynesian islanders. There is much on their family life, their food featured heavily, the monarchy and political structures and some of their festivals and traditions.

While I have awarded this book 4 stars, as I did Minerva Reef, i found this to be a much better written book, and one I enjoyed more. I don't feel obliged to share too much about the whaling, but what becomes clear through the book is that the Tongan people in the 1960s had to work incredibly hard to capture a whale - the process carried a lot of risk, and there were never great numbers of whales taken. If you intend to read the book, avoid the spoiler.

In the season Ruhen was involved he did not capture his illusive whale, in spite of being on the sea whenever the weather permitted. They attempted many whales - most simply out-distanced them without engagement. They harpooned only one, and while this whale in all likelihood died, it was not captured as the harpoon became disengaged near the end of its struggle.

Interesting from a historic context of Tonga, but will not be appreciated by all.

4 Stars