Celebrating the Tongan culture

The culture and language of Tonga will be celebrated in South Canterbury starting with the youngest minds.

The Tongan Society of South Canterbury will visit schools throughout the region during Tongan Language Week (TLW), which runs from September 1-7 and will include cultural performances from members of the society. ‘‘All week we go out on school visits from daycare right up to high schools from Timaru, Temuka and other areas,’’ Timaru Tongan Society president and youth leader Sina Latu said. ‘‘We’ve sent the schedules to school and are receiving positive feedback.’’

She said the week was important to the community as it represented a platform for the society to educate its children. ‘‘In the Tongan society our focus is on our children’s well-being, and this is huge because it is our identity and a sense of belonging. Once they know who they are, connect to their roots and know their identity then everything else would flourish.

‘‘The Tongan language is a big part of our platform for our whanau to be proud and show who they are.’’

Latu said the response from schools had been good and the week generated more interest every year. ‘‘Every year there is more involvement and more schools participate and it’s getting bigger with what the schools do.

‘‘We are always here if they need help, not just schools but other organisations and agencies as well.’’

Latu said it was still early to confirm how many schools would take part in the week. ‘‘Every year it is growing. Next week we should have a fair idea of how many schools will be participating this year. Three schools a day.

‘‘It is about educating people about the Tongan culture. Every school will do something for the week and we go around and support and see what they are doing.’’

Latu said people of all cultures were welcome to join the society in commemorating the week. ‘‘We would like to encourage the community to look out for their schools’ date.

‘‘I’m sure the school will put into their newsletters when they will be performing on Tongan Language Week. We have also posted on our Facebook page when we are going and what school we’re going to.’’