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2 Documentary analysis

In kuo Hina E Hiapo I see how the Tongan culture has stuck to their traditional way of making their Ngatu, using materials, tools and techniques passed down through generations to keep their sacred tradition alive. Each time the woman in the village makes the Ngatu they bring along their granddaughters or daughters to teach them the ways of creating it the Tongan traditional way. One day, they will pass down the knowledge and tools they have to the young girls in their family to carry on the tradition.

In the second documentary “Tales of Taonga” we see how Samoa (Siapo), Niue (Hiapo), Fiji (Masi), Aotearoa (Aute) and Tonga go about their traditional ways to make their tapa. The islands create their tapa in similar traditional ways and are used similarly to, such as weddings, funerals, cultural dance apparel, and birthdays.  

The Tongan tradition of making tapa is still alive and done to this day, in “Tales of Taonga” we see how some Polynesian cultures way of making the tapa is slowly dying. People are not passing down the tradition to future generations or there are only a few people making tapa.

In my opinion I think the symbol made patterns are more significant than the process because there are different symbols and patterns for different Polynesian cultures. For instance, the Tongan patterns are heavy and bold whereas the Niuean patterns feature light and more empty spaced patterns in their tapa. Not only is it the pattern which differentiates each Polynesian culture, but the symbols used in the tapa cloth are different which makes it more significant.

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My 10x10 cm pattern

The bottom pattern is from week ones task, ut symbolises departure from child hood

The top pattern represents life and change. But can also represent the world beyond. For my pattern i use the second meaning as the world beyond as heaven. To represent the people ive lost in my life and where i will go when my time is up

The middle pattern symbolises strength, to represent my current self right now

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Aso Taliitu:

Located on the side of the body on a Samoan Pe’a. The symbols represent the person’s departure from childhood through their achievements and preparations made as a child that prepared them to receive the pe’a and become an adult.

This relates to me through, becoming 19 this year and turning 20 next year I am moving on from my teenage years and starting to prepare for my future. I am fully responsible for my own mistakes and decisions, and I must look after myself.

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