Tamana, Kiribati


Tamana is the smallest island in the Gilbert Islands. It is accessible both by boat and by air with Air Kiribati and Coral Sun Airways. 1,104 people live in Tamana.
Tamana is the second southern-most island in the Gilbert group and the smallest inhabited island in Kiribati. The island is approximately in length, at its widest point, and has a total land area of. Tamana is a reef island with no lagoon.
The Island Council is located at Bakaakaa, the central village of the island and this is also where the rest of the Government facilities are located such as the CB radio for inter-island communication, the hardware store, and the fuel depot. The schools and the Medical facilities are also located in the same village.

Myths and legends

The name Tamana is understood to mean ‘his/her father’; although in some myths it is understood to mean ‘a stronghold or strong place, or original settlement’.

History

Tamana Post Office opened around 1915.