Talofa lava! This week is Samoan Language Week and the theme this year is ‘Tautua Nei Mo Sou Manuia a Taeao: Serve now for a better tomorrow’. Much of our work here at Te Papa is underpinned by this theme. We strive to develop collections of cultural artefacts that reflect our communities of the past,… Read more »
“Taofi mau i au measina: Hold fast to your treasures” is the theme for Sämoan language week 2014. Indeed, looking after cultural treasures is a significant part of Te Papa’s role in the community. We develop collections of cultural artefacts from the ordinary to the extraordinary, from the very old to the very recent. We share the… Read more »
The Pacific Cultures team at Te Papa would like to acknowledge the retirement of Galumalemana Alfred Hunkin from his role as head of Samoan Studies at Victoria University of Wellington. Galumalemana founded the Samoan Studies Department and has published books and articles on the Samoan language. Galumalemana has been a key advisor for Te Papa… Read more »
Welcome to the sixth blog of our series celebrating le vaiaso o le gagana Sāmoa (Samoan Language Week) from 26-31 May 2013. This is a tu’i ipu – a rattle used by Samoan fishermen when they are hunting sharks. The Samoan word for shark is malie. The tu’i ipu is made from half shells of coconut threaded… Read more »
To celebrate le vaiaso o le gagana Samoa (Sāmoan language week) 26-31 May 2013, the Pacific Cultures curators are highlighting stories related to cultural treasures from Sämoa. European style rings, bracelets and brooches are popular forms of personal adornment made in Sāmoa from at least the 1920’s to the present day. They were typically constructed… Read more »