Has anyone ever heard of the word 'pitika' to describe the traditional Polynesian nose kiss?

Question

I'm trying to track down the word 'pitika', to describe a traditional nose kiss on the Polynesian island of Anuta. 'Honi' seems to be the usual word, but a friend who went to Anuta said he thought the word was 'pitika'. Has anyone else heard of this in the Pacific islands?

Answer 1

Pitika Ntuli is an internationally known poet, artist and academic. He spent his exile years in the U.K. where he helped establish one of Europe's leading poetry circuits, Apples & Snakes, in London, and where he also lectured in Fine Art and English Literature. While in London he also worked closely with Amnesty International and Index-on-Censorship. Prof. Ntuli returned to South Africa at the end of 1994 and lectured at Wits University before he joined the staff of the University of Durban-Westville in 1995. In 1996-97 he was seconded to the post of Deputy Vice Chancellor with a brief to stabilise the tormented institution. In 1996-97 he was seconded to the post of Deputy Vice Chancellor. Pitika Ntuli has held several portfolios on boards including the BAT Centre Trust, Universal Creative Arts, and Artists for Human Rights. He sits on several ministerial committees and is widely sought after as a public speaker and commentator on arts and culture, indigenous knowledge systems and African scholarship. Pitika Ntuli has performed his poetry with leading musicians like the late Dudu Pukwana, Mervin Africa, Julkian Bahule, Lucky Ranku and Eugene Skeef. He toured Europe several times with his poetry which has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. He performed at the inauguration of South African President Thabo Mbeki in April 2004. Pitika is also a sculptor with a few public statues to his credit. He has performed as a poet and presenter at numerous Poetry Africa festivals most recently in 2006 at the 10th Poetry Africa festival.

Answer 2

I have never been there, but when I google it, I find pitika as a poet and a recipe, but not a nose kiss. I tried a translation site but it could not translate the word pitika. So sorry.