The Turtle Brothers of Juju

Overview

In C. M. Churchward’s account, people fishing from a large canoe with a large net in deep water shout at two boys on a cliff. Frightened, the boys fall into the sea. One has lime on his hair, while the other has turmeric or another brown substance.

The account identifies these contrasting marks on the heads of two turtles that continue to appear when sung to. Their mother, Tupunga, remains above in grief. The boys themselves are not given personal names in this brief record; the paired turtle appearance belongs to the Juju account.

Origins & earliest records

MacGregor’s 1932 field notes identify C. M. Churchward as consultant for this Juju turtle account. The edited transcription is hosted in the Rotuma archive; the original notes are held at Bishop Museum.

Records & interpretation

The complete short Turtles of Juju record supplies the fall, contrasting head markings, appearance when sung to and grieving mother. It records the narrative and attributed appearances rather than establishing a biological transformation.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   MacGregor’s Rotuma Notes: Legends, Turtles of Juju

   Gordon MacGregor, recorder; C. M. Churchward, consultant · 1932 fieldwork

   Complete brief account; brothers unnamed, mother identified as Tupunga.

Family, evolution & connections

Tupunga and the two boys

Churchward’s account.

Explicit parentage. Father unnamed; turtle appearances are narrative identities.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Edited primary field-note transcriptionRotuma archive: Turtles of JujuResearch access: 2026-10-05
2. Custodial and editorial contextMacGregor collection editorial explanationResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.