ABSTRACT
The maru exercise secular authority but occupy no formal ritual position. By contrast, the mataapure held great authority in the religious system but little in the non-religious sphere. Chiefs differ from each in that they simultaneously wield power in the two arenas. Pu Raropuko was like a chief in that he exercised both forms of power, but he did so by holding two distinct positions. A final position of outstanding importance, and one that crosscuts several of the others is pau penua 'island binder'. A pau penua is someone who, because of physical, moral or intellectual prowess, takes on special responsibilities for guarding the community. Anutan chieftainship is based primarily on primogeniture and seniority of patrilineal descent. The senior chief claims descent through a line of males from Tearakur a, a chief who lived about nine generations ago, at a time when Anutan social structure came to assume its present shape.
