HISTORY OF THE TAUALUGA

 

HISTORY OF THE TAUALUGA 

CRITICAL RESPONSE BRIEF 1 – WEEK 7  

It is evident what this short clip is about and what caught my attention most was the word ‘history’ in the subheading, so I clicked on it and watched. The clip introduces three Samoan’s who are knowledgeable of the Fa’a Samoa aspects. This visual audio is more than about a siva Samoa – the three perspectives elaborates about what is expected of the tama’ita’i, the tuiga that she carries on her head, her ‘aiuli’s and her siva Samoa.  

The definition of the Samoan words that will be in this critical response are as listed below –  

• Taualuga – This is a Samoan traditional dance performed by the Taupou. Tau is War and Luga is above and as said together the whole word means War in a Higher Place.  
• Tuiga – A Tuiga is a Samoan traditional headpiece made of flowers, shells, human hair and three recognizable spikes on the crown.  This is what the Taupou would wear in her Taualuga.  
• ‘Aiuli – Aiuli in Samoan are brothers or relatives to the Taupou surround her when performing her Taualuga and shout to hype her up and to support her through her Taualuga.   
• Taupou – A Taupou is a female chosen by the High Chief of a Samoan village to perform a Taualuga and is to be the last of the entertainment for the visitors.  
• Manaia – Is Samoan for the Son of the High Chief who also performs the Taualuga.  
• Nifo’oti – Nifo’oti is Samoan for a Cane Knife. It is a carved wooden weapon from Samoa that was used in the wars by warriors. In this society we live in today, the Taualuga or Manaia uses it to dance with to symbolize their high rank in their village. There are two ways to dance with the Nifo’oti which is to dance gracefully with the Nifo’oti or to dance with it radically.  
• Tama’ita’i – Tama’ita’i is Samoan for Woman/Female.  
• Malu – Malu is a Samoan word for Security or ‘to protect’. Also, Malu is a Samoan tattoo for the females on the legs. Only chief’s daughters get the Malu.  
• Mamalu – Mamalu is a Samoan word for Honor or Nobility.  
• Siva – Siva is a Samoan word for dance.  

 To be more specific, this oral video explained what the meaning of a ‘Taualuga’ is and how it is performed and by whom. Daughters and Sons of High Chiefs of each village are the ones to be in charge and chooses who to represent their high ranking in their village for their visitors as a ‘Taupou’. Originally the sons of High Chiefs were the only Taupou’s but as generations passed and changed, daughters were then made to become a Taupou. Va’asiliifiti Moelagi Jackson stated that when the Taupou is on her way to forward to her stage, the aiuli’s who have to be the Taupou’s brothers or relatives are the ones to be dancing on the fringe of the Taupou, they have an urge to shout loudly to make an announcement as to “here comes the pride of the village or the pride of the family” or make way for the Taupou and this is why people are being seen trolling or hitting the floors along with the Samoan traditional slap dance for the men.  

“O le Taupou, e malu ai aiga” – The Taupou protects the family.  

The oral video goes on to explain how a Tama’ita’i is expected to act and dance along with the Nifo’oti which was used a weapon in the war era. Also, the headpiece which is called the ‘Tuiga’ in Samoan was explained, it is made out of flowers, human hair, three noticeable spikes and shells. The Taupou has to wear the headpiece when performing and the Taupou also has to have a relation to the headpiece as its been passed down from many generations to generations to wear, in other words, they are performing with their ancestors. This is really interesting and important because although my dad moved to New Zealand when he was 18 years old, he still returned to Samoa to get his title and he became a chief, which makes me a daughter of the chief, therefore, there will be a time where I will need to perform a Taualuga on behalf of my dad and in results of learning all this new information, I am definitely looking forward to wearing a headpiece that my ancestors once wore.  

This oral video made me believe that these people are telling the truth and these are facts because they’ve lived through it instead of reading information of sources and stating them as reliable resources when they’ve experienced it all. Learning more about the Taualuga and the Taupou makes prouder of my aganu’u, my culture.  

Tuu’u Mary Autagavaia mentioned that the most thing she loves about the Taupou when she’s dancing is that she represents the women in society, for example the strength in her who has often refelceted in the different actions that she takes and the grace of her movement and the sense of mamalu, honor.  

The History of Taualuga video is a good, simple and educational video that should be seen by everyone who wants to know more about the Taualuga as it was well presented and easily understood. I do believe that the female of Samoa are strong women who caters for everyone, their strengths are strong willed and their hearts are pure as gold.  

 

REFERENCE 

The Coconut TV. (2018). History of the Taualuga. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dieD54iLQSE