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I wonder if the Fiji delegates at Nukualofa will have time to watch or even to join in the dance of the taualuga. Nah, I don't think so. It's about grace and beauty and being feminine, but also about participation, as others join in with the solo dancer. Money also rains down as gifts shower the main dancer. Go to youtube to see some samples of the dancing of the taualuga from Tonga or Samoa.
Back in 1976, as a young Tongan maiden, I performed the tau'olunga for one of the first Friendly North Festivals in front of a huge crowd at Subrail Park!!! Mu uncle, Fr. Viliami was the vicar of the Anglican church in Labasa, and had alot to do with the organisation of civic festivals.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't there in 76 but we did know your uncle, Father Viliame Hala'api'api, who was a delightful man. Where do you live now, 'Anonymous'?
ReplyDeleteThe tau'olunga is a beautifully feminine dance. I have been to Nukualofa - one summer holiday and will never forget the kindness and hospitality of that trip - New Year so it was a time of lots of fun.
w
I am now married with 3 teenage terrors, and live in Christchurch. I work for the Anglican Church here, and my Tongan husband is preparing to go into Ministry training next year. I still miss Labasa, and have planned to take my husband there for years!
ReplyDeleteMalo lelei again. That sounds a great life! Peceli has been interested in St Mary's hostel in Labasa and got to know the Anglican staff there in his recent trips to Fiji because once upon a time that was all his father's land and it was given to the Anglican church way back in the 1940s when Peceli's father died. Our extended family live mainly in Vatuadova village and our beach is Nukutatava.
ReplyDeleteI must get ready to go to a Bible Study now which is all about 'dreams and visions' and stop yacking!
w.
Before Fr. Viliami & Ema started work in Labasa, they spent just over a year in Melbourne, altho I'm not sure which parish they were in.
ReplyDeleteI spent alot of time at the Hostel - indeed alot of the boarders were class mates of mine. I remember swapping my sandwich lunches for their roti + curry parcels, and competing against them each night to see whose room light went off earliest especially at exam time!!
I spent 6yrs in Labasa before moving to NZ to complete my studies. Sadly, I have lost touch with most of my L friends - but the dream is still there to go back and see the town.
Malo lelei again,
ReplyDeletePeceli visited Father Epi the last trip. Today I read in the paper that Father Epi has written in support of the decision by the Catholic Archbishop Mataca to help the military regime in their new charter committee, though many other people think it very unwise to do so. Fiji is in a lot of trouble these days and it is very sad.
w.