Paoo
Legendary figure of the introduction of the Christianity in New Caledonia, more known Paoo with Lifou under name FAO qatr (old FAO) was born with the beginning of the year 1800 on the island from Aitutaki, with the islands Cook. It is one of the first autochtones to be converted as of the years 1820. It follows in the first time the lesson of the missionaries Tahiti ens of London Missionary Society (Papeiha, Vahineino, Vahapata…) installed on the spot starting from 1821. They will be joined in 1838 by Henry Royle.
This last decides in 1840 to send Paoo to supplement its formation with the very new theological College of Takamoa (Rarotonga) so that it becomes in its turn missionary. According to certain versions, this departure would be also due to some family concerns for Paoo.
Its finished formation and leaving woman and children behind him, it unloads in April 1842 on the island of Maré (islands Loyauté). There remains there until July of the same year, dates to which he joined in the dugout the island of Lifou. It is accompanied by another missionary as for him of origin rarotongienne, Zakaria, and of Tongiens installed in Maré since many years. They arrive in the south of the island at Ahmelewedr where live other Tongiens. They are accommodated by Bula, the angajoxu (big boss) of Lösi. The two men begin their work of teaching and evangelization. After the reference of Zakaria in May 1845, a little too coconut fiber loincloth or womanizer (rather the " wit") with the taste of the Murray pastors and Turner of passage on the island, Paoo remains alone in Lifou. During the civil war of Lösi in the years 1848-1849, related to the succession of the angajoxu, it must take refuge in Maré several months before being recalled by Lifous once the calm income.
In 1859, it is joined by the pastors Mac Farlane and Baker (this last will be replaced by Sleigh a few months later), whereas the catholic mission of the father Jean Baptise Fabvre is installed since 1858 in the north of the island.
Does Paoo die in the years 1860 (?) without being ever gone back to the Cook islands. It is buried in Qanono.
The descendants of Paoo always live in the Cook islands and go regularly to Lifou at the time of the commemorations.
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