Taverio Richmond

When the name Hikueru is mentioned, all the other surrounding islands shudder with fear. Because in the story, when someone from Hikueru says anything it comes true. In Hikueru speech is sacred. Tapu was born in Hikueru. Until the age of nine, he grew up with his grandfather in Reka Reka. There is no better place in the universe than the Tuamotus, Tapu tells us. Tapu Bonnet descends from the great names of French Polynesia. He can recite his genealogy over several centuries. Forty years ago he was one of the seeds, one of those who renovated and restored this culture which was prohibited: walking on fire, tattooing... Incredible the flowering that there has been since that time of eighties.

Aged 83, Taverio Richmond is doing well. He is very involved in defending the indigenous rights of the Polynesian people. Particularly when it comes to land. He still climbs trees like a real chimpanzee. He is worse than Tarzan, his friend Tapu says of him.