Te Umanibong

Te Umanibong is a local museum in Bikenibeu that displays traditional objects, prehistoric pieces, and contemporary works to show the history of the Kiribati islands. It holds a reference library with over 100 books, photographs, and recordings of traditional songs and stories.

The museum grew from the Tungavalu Society, which was founded in 1973 to document local history and heritage. The current building was constructed in 1991 with support from New Zealand.

The building includes a traditional mwaneaba meeting structure where you can see how the community gathers and makes decisions together. The exhibits show pandanus baskets and dance costumes that remain part of local celebrations today.

It is best to check the opening hours before your visit, as smaller museums often have limited access times. The location is within walking distance if you are staying near the center of Bikenibeu.

The museum grounds feature a specialized botanical garden dedicated to native medicinal plants, showing how people traditionally made medicine. This garden preserves knowledge that might otherwise be forgotten and demonstrates practical connections between plants and healing.