Places named Coconut - Lieux nommés "cocotier"'

©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section CFG.

For illustrating this section, we can produce on request at least one large size HD poster (up to 180x100 cm in size). These posters should be adapted to each country, on a case-by-case basis, in order to prominently feature locally produced coconut products, and to promote the marketing of these local products.

This section concerns the places named coconut or cocotier, and some other places whose history is especially linked to this emblematic plant.

Cocos (Keeling) Islands

The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is an Australian external territory in the Indian Ocean, comprising a small archipelago approximately midway between Australia and Sri Lanka and relatively close to Sumatra. The territory consists of two atolls made up of 27 coral islands, of which only two are inhabited. The islands have been called the Cocos Islands (from 1622), the Keeling Islands (from 1703), and later the Cocos–Keeling Islands. Cocos refers to the abundant coconut trees, while Keeling is William Keeling, who discovered the islands in 1609. Some scientists believe that wild coconut palms can be found there and they wrote papers on this topic.

Early Samoa, Niu afa and the naming of Niue Island

Niue is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the "Rock of Polynesia", and natives of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is 2,400 kilometres northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to the southeast. The land area is 260 square kilometres (100 sq mi) with about 1,400 people who are predominantly Polynesian.
Niue had several earlier names. One tradition is that the island was renamed after a chief’s sons and their followers travelled to their ancestors’ original homeland in Sàmoa, Manu‘a. There they were welcomed and entertained as kin. When they decided to return to Nukututaha, the chief of Manu‘a, Moa, gave them two special coconuts and explained why each one was special. On arrival back at Nukututaha, the chief’s sons held up these special coconuts and said “Ko e Niu è!” (Behold, the coconut!).
The coconuts were planted. One is the niu pulu, the coconut grown especially for making the sennit rope that is used in constructing traditional buildings and making canoes. The other coconut is the niu tea, the medicinal coconut. Its juice, husk, leaves, and just about every other part are used as medicine for a variety of ailments as well as for drinking and as food. According to this tradition, the name of the island was changed to Niue to honour the arrival of these two special varieties of coconut and to remember the chief of Manu‘a, who gifted them.

 Many Coconut Islands...

At least five islands are called “Coconut island” in the world, an many others use the word “coconut” translated in other languages. Coconut islands (Named in English) are located in the USA (Hawaii, Florida, Virgina) and in Australia (Two islands in Queensland). Some others islands are located at least in Cambodia, Cameroon, Fiji, PNG and Vietnam. 

There are also countless places named Coconuts road, Coconut plaza, Coconut harbour, and an even higher number of shops and shopping centres whose name derives from the coconut tree. Not to mention that, in la Réunion Island, many people are named “Cocotier” as their last name…




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The Coconut Palace in the Philippines

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A famous coconut chandelier from the Poconut
Palace in the Philippines