Welcome to our final blog post for le vaiaso o le gagana Sāmoa (Samoan language week) for 2013.
In this blog, we feature a poem composed by Charles Niu, who visited the Pacific Cultures Collection during the back of house tours at Te Papa highlighting Samoa Language Week. We had an overwhelming response to the tours, and were fortunate to hear stories from our visitors such as Jerry Leaupepe who talked about his experiences fishing for sharks in Sāmoa. A big fa’afetai tele lava (thank you) to all those who made the time to visit, and to Charles for allowing us to share his poem on the blog.
Taoga Samoa
Inside us the dead write Albert W
Samoa, Samoana
Inside Te Papa Pasifika taoga
On the wall sits proudly Nifo’oti
Below the peacemaker
Kilikiki blade Pasifika Excalibur
Decorative Oceania Lapita motif
Ia Tonga ancient pure maiden art
Banner flags old school
Education the key so bold Rutherford
Sharks teeth tatau tap motif eternity
Kava bowl O Kawatanga koha dark light.
Matai ponder on cool wooden pillow.
Tapa cavern dark, burn brown, surf white Apia
Feather hibiscus red, brown and white
Mirror coin embellish,
Honoured Pasifika head
Vaka adze creation, rim customise art
Sinnet ornament bound outrigger
Tamaiti adze treasure hunt
Prize sweet lollies, Samoa history
Priceless.
Glossary
Taoga( Niue)…Treasure
O Kawatanga…(Māori) NZ Government
Koha(Māori)..gift