Mineral springs Physical Characteristics of the Rotokas Area

40 The caves, although not very large, show that the area has good potential. Some other caves were also mentioned by the guides Meier 1980:3–4.

2.2.4 Mineral springs

In addition to the hot springs mentioned in section 2.2.1 as part of the Balbi and Bagana volcanics description, there are two significant mineral springs which are described here. Rasiva Springs First are the Rasiva springs, also known as Roto, from which the name Rotokas comes. These warm-to-hot ferrous-hydroxide springs, which are found in gulleys behind Togarao village and in the nearby vicinity, are easily recognized by the red to rust-colored sediment around the spring area. Immediately behind Togarao in a narrow ravine is the main location in which these springs are found. The reddish sediment is nearly a meter deep in an area about two to three meters across and several meters in length. From this area, the sediment flows downstream ten to fifteen meters and over a waterfall about eight to ten meters in height. The face of the fall is covered with the roto sediment. It was in this general area that the sediment was collected for processing—a process called roto kasi. The description of this process is found in section 14.6 on earth paints and dyes. Small ferrous hydroxide springs may be seen along the banks of the streams above Togarao. They most certainly occur throughout this general area. Rasiva Roto Spring located behind Togarao Village Pioto Spring The second mineral spring is a single source of warm water in which a high concentration of a sulfur compound is in solution. Upon contact with air, the compound oxidizes and precipitates out of solution. The resulting sediment is a grayish-white with sulfur-yellow tint compound which is found in the stream bed several centimeters thick. The spring, called Pioto, is located in a small amphitheatre just above and to the west of Togarao village. The distance to the spring source is approximately thirty minutes by trail from the village. At times, the odor of sulfur coming from the amphitheatre can be smelled immediately above Togarao. The stream coming from the Pioto spring is obviously very toxic, as evidenced by dead insects and ducks along the banks. The sediment is used by the Rotokas people, as will be seen in latter chapters. It is interesting to note that very large trees in this amphitheatre are said to be extremely old. Even some dead trunks still standing are very well preserved. 41 3 The Rotokas: Demographic Information

3.1 Population Facts and Figures