A Melanesian legend thus explains the origin of Tiga, the smallest of the Loyalty Islands located between Lifou in the north and Maré in the south. A rat, chased by the inhabitants of Lifou, would have begged a turtle to take it to Maré, 60mi (98km) away. But the tired turtle stopped during the crossing and became Tiga, hence its shape of dome or half submerged shell.