Makin

Makin Atoll is the northernmost and second-smallest of the Gilbert Islands, located just north of Butaritari; when that island was named Makin, the present atoll was referred to as Makin Meang (Northern Makin). It has a linear reef and five islets, with a total length of 12.3 kilometres. The islets of Makin (with a nearly landlocked lagoon), Kiebu and Onne are inhabited, although the latter is not permanent. The total population is about 2,000.

Crowd at the airstrip on Makin island, just north of Butaritari atoll.

Boys with their faces painted for fun, posing in Makin village.

Sweeping the ground in front of her “buia”, traditional open-sided house in Makin village.

The maneaba, meeting house, made from sheet metal, at the lagoon in Makin village.

Boys cutting copra from coconuts on Makin island.

Looking from the islet of Aonbike to the smaller island of Tebua Tarawa, south of Makin island.

The village on Kiebu island, south of Aonbike and Tebua Tarawa islets, to the south of Makin island.

Young men taking a break from collecting copra in the canoe shed at the south point of Onne island, the southernmost point of Makin atoll.

Flying over the village on Kiebu island, in the south of Makin atoll.