Tokelau language celebrations
The Taupo¯ Netball Centre came alive to the sounds of prayer, of music, of dance and singing and of food, fellowship and togetherness last Saturday as Taupo¯’s Tokelauan community wrapped up a week of celebrations.
2020 Tokelau Language Week was the biggest ever for the community of around 400 to 500 people in Taupo¯ and the result was a busy timetable which showcased the Tokelauan culture and enabled the elders of the community to share their knowledge, skills and language with the younger ones.
It began with a launch at St Paul’s Church on Sunday, October 25 and then every evening of the week following there was an event at the Taupo¯ Netball Centre, each covering a different aspect and each with its own theme colour, with people dressing to match. History Day (red) was followed by a cooking and interview evening (blue) and a health and wellbeing evening (yellow). Arts and crafts evening (purple) and carving and fishing evening (green) were opportunities to teach traditional skills and arts to the younger generations. The whole week wrapped up with Cultural Day (pink) last Saturday which included cricket, prayer and devotions, a Tokelauan feast and then a rousing concert of Tokelauan dance and song where the joy of sharing the culture was evident for all to see.
Patisepa Tagata said she was tired but content after such a busy week of activities.
What had made her happy during the week was seeing the younger generation keen to learn their language and culture, respecting their elders and knowing God, Patisepa said.
She especially enjoyed the fishing and carving evening, where the young people showed a real interest in how their relatives back home in Tokelau catch fish; and the arts and crafts evening last Thursday when the older ones taught the younger ones how to make garlands and titis (dancing skirts).
“We learned from our parents and grandparents so we are teaching our children now how to keep on doing traditional things.”
While Tokelau Language Week is celebrated annually, Patisepa said this year was special because the young people had stepped up and helped organise it.
“Most of the things happening this year it’s their idea and we are so proud of them, we are very happy that they are standing up. Our generation, we are not good at these things, the technology and that, it’s them and they share their knowledge and that’s been a big help.”