RAOBEIA KEN SIGRAH
1956 - 2021
The late Raobeia Ken Sigrah was born on 18 January 1956 on Rabi, Fiji. He identified as a Banaban but held a Fiji passport and later resided in Australia. Known as Ken to his friends, he began his education at the age of seven at Buakonikai Primary School in 1962 and continued at Banaban Primary School until 1967. After passing his Intermediate exams, he attended Niusawa Methodist High School, a Fijian school on nearby Taveuni. In 1980, he studied English for a year at Fulton College in Fiji.
In 1972, Ken was employed as a clerk for the Ra-bi Council of Leaders in the Public Works Department. Around this time, he joined the Banaban Dancing Group, which represented the Council culturally and performed abroad. That same year, Ken travelled with the group at the invitation of Australian authorities to perform at the Sydney Opera House opening ceremonies, facilitated by the Fiji Arts Theatre. The group also performed in Brisbane during the tour. In 1974, Ken toured Nauru, Banaba, and Tarawa with the dancing group while still working as a clerk for the Rabi Council. In 1975, he attended the South Pacific Festival of Arts in Rotorua, New Zealand. After this trip, he left the dancing group but continued working for the Rabi Council.
In 1979, Ken joined a group of young Banaban men and elders on a significant trip to Banaba just before mining operations ceased. After nine months on Banaba, he returned to Rabi. By 1982, he was employed by the Fiji government as a clerk and storeman, a position he held for six years until he resigned in 1989. He was then re-employed by the Rabi Council as a Labour Officer and Inspector. He resigned again from the Council in 1990 and returned to a traditional Banaban lifestyle.
Ken studied Banaban culture and customs under the guidance of Banaban elders. He began these studies at the age of 14 as part of his responsibilities as a male clan member, preparing to serve as a clan spokesman in meetings concerning Banaban culture, customs, and genealogies. Ken witnessed the challenges his people faced and represented individual clans in general meetings, exchanging ideas with Banaban elders. His first experience as a clan spokesman was in 1987, followed by further roles in 1994, 1995, and 1996.
In 1997, Ken asked Stacey King to assist him in writing a history of Banaba. He aimed to promote Banaban history, culture, and customs, though he had previously struggled to find a sponsor for editing and publishing the work. With many elders having passed away and others in their later years, he hoped to publish this material, gathered over many years, for the benefit of the younger Banaban generation, who are now growing up in a different environment, to help them preserve their culture, heritage, and identity as Banabans.