The Tufunga Project: Perpetuating Tongan Traditions Featured
Mrs. Sio 'Alatini
13 August, 2015. Sio Alatini was born in Tonga and immigrated to New Zealand when she was 3. She was raised by her parents and grandparents and exposed to Tongan cultural protocols from a young age.
“My husband wanted to know about different types of cultural materials used for ceremonial occasions,” she said. “It can get quite complicated figuring out the worth of the materials, cultural importance and appropriate clothing to wear for traditional formal events. It can be confusing for those who don’t know.”
Sio is no stranger at PEC as she sometimes fills in as a relief teacher for her husband Frederick Loloa Alatini’s Tongan Language classes. Together they are busy parents to four daughters but both feel honoured to share their knowledge of Tongan language and culture with those who want to learn. For Tongans born and raised in other parts of the world, there can be a flippant attitude about maintaining cultural protocols but Sio believes that if they understand why things are done the way they are, then they will realise that it is important to continue the traditional ways.
Growing up in South Auckland, Sio questioned why her parents sent money to relatives in Tonga. "That often puzzled me, because we were struggling here."
She was opposed to remittance until completing a thesis as part of her Masters in International Tourism Management at AUT.
As part of her project she travelled back to her family's village, Leimatu'a, in Vava’u for the first time since leaving as a child. Witnessing the village reunion was a "full circle" moment, when she realised the kindness she was treated with and enduring bonds were a result of her parents' sacrifices.
"Sending money home doesn’t make sense here until you go back to the islands. I now know why my parents did that ... it was a way that they looked at maintaining those relationships, and it was a sense of nurturing an obligation that they had for their families and extended families."
Sio and her husband have researched and combined their knowledge into a resource called Tongan Koloa and Katoanga that they are hoping will help those who seek the knowledge but are unable to take a class at PEC due to time or distance constraints.
“We aim to increase awareness of the value of Tongan koloa (wealth/treasure/asset),” she said. “The traditional context when Tongans exchange their koloa is during formal Tongan katoanga (events/celebrations) when different Tongan family members carry out specific fatongia (duties). While it is always a family’s discretion how they gift during formal occasions we aim to give an overview and examples so that people know what to expect and what to wear. The resource offers guidance on the roles of different people and groups at Tongan social events and what is expected of each. To successfully fulfil one’s family duties, one must first be knowledgeable about their position and rank within the Tongan family and wider extended family.”
The resource focuses on life events, which are celebrated and practiced in the forms of a Katoanga such as birthdays, weddings and funerals.
“Most Tongans have attended these kinds of events but if they were born here or came here at a young age they may not understand why things happen the way they do,” said Sio. “My workshop and our resource make those reasons clear. We answer the questions like who does what? Where do they sit? Who speaks? What should you wear?”
Sio says she understands that not everybody shares her love of perpetuating cultural traditions.
“These protocols identify who we are. Our traditional cultural practices are unique and I believe we should uphold and maintain them. I want to see them continue for our children and the generations to come. The positive aspect is that they bring families together. It can be difficult if you feel like you are always giving but the beauty is it is reciprocated when you are in need. This is how we maintain our social and spatial relationships and show our respect and faith.”
The dedication at the start of the resource explains just how strongly the Alatinis feel about tradition. They have dedicated the piece of work to their children.
“We hope that one day as you all grow up and embark on your own journeys in life that you may realise that our dreams as parents are a reflection of the constant endeavour to ensure that your generation will never lose sight of the ‘koloa’ our parents migrated with to Aotearoa New Zealand. Never lose sight of who you are as a Tongan, our language, culture and anga faka-Tonga.
Source: Pasifika Education Centre
