Ko e feinga pē: All we can do is TRY!

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Life is such a battle for many. No matter what communities we live in rich or poor we all have our own challenges. Growing up there are several words or phrases you constantly hear from your parents, grandparents and Tongan society.

  1. Ko e fonua masiva (Tonga is a poor country).
  2. Ako ke lahi. Study hard.
  3. Lotu ke lahi. Pray diligently.

But unlike the teens here at Roosevelt High, we had role models to look up to, expectations of our parents and the prayers of our grandparents that we build our families, communities and contribute back. But what of those kids featured on this clip. How many kids are out there with no support. Who have lost there way, feel disconnected or have no sense of purpose. All I can say is pray and be prepared. Don’t say no to the opportunities that come a knocking, give it a try. That is all we can do in life. We do not have to be confined to the stereotypes society tells us will be our future. Watching this clip reminds me of one of my favourite hymn verses, we all have worth we must stand up and be counted and with support of people like Coach we can value, encourage and protect that treasure.

Tama Tonga, tu’u ‘o ngāue,
Ho koloa ke fakamonū.
Lotu ki he ‘Eiki ma’u pē,
Ke ne poupou ki he lotu
‘O malu’i,
‘O malu’i ‘a Tupou

Tongan man, stand up and work,
your treasure must be expressed.
Pray to the Lord always,
for his support in prayer
To protect,
To protect Tupou.

Click to hear Hymn 391 

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Best poetic memorial stone: Ko hai au ke u tuhu ki he laʻaá?

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FonuaMemorialStone
Pic curteousy of Lisa Strnad. Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park Colleyvillw Texas USA

 

“TULOU MOE NGAAHI FĀ KAKALA

KO HAI AU KE U TUHU KI HE LAʻAÁ?

NE U SILAʻI KOE ʻI HE ʻOLITA

PUKE ʻETA FUAKAVA KI HE TAʻENGATA”

This has to be the most beautiful poetic memorial stone/ bench I have come across. Ok some background knowledge you may need in understanding the beauty of this memorial stone for Tony Andy Fonua (1955-2004).

In Tongan poetry ʻkakalaʼ or the sweet smelling flowers are used as a metaphor for people. The use of the metaphor “FĀ KAKALA” gives a timeframe of when he died which is during the reign of King Taufāʻahau Tupou IV. Therefore the author gives ode/ respect to the Four chiefly flowers of his country Tupou I-IV. The second line gives the notion of the sun being sacred they dare not question the sun for the predicament that they are in. They were joined together at the altar which gives the author of this piece as the widow. The “fuakava” is an important ʻkavaʼ term in the Tongan culture. It is the first cup taken as a solemn vow, you are not culturally married until you take the ʻfuakava maliʼ. Therefor they were joined at the altar and will hold their fuakava vow for eternity. The translation is as follows

“DEEPEST RESPECTS TO FOUR CHIEFLY FLOWERS (PAST & PRESENT TUPOU I-IV)

WHO AM I TO POINT AT THE SUN?

I WAS JOINED WITH YOU AT THE ALTAR

HOLDING OUR MATRIMONIAL VOW FOR ETERNITY”

Did you like this? Let me know or share. Mālō Tuʻa ʻofa atu

My first ebook in Tongan: The Hungry Little Mouse

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As promised, I have finally uploaded my first ebook onto youtube. This has been such a labour of love made only possible with faith that the Tongan Language School (Sydney) had in me. The goal was to make an engaging resource that our digital kids today would like. My kids gave it the two thumbs up so iʼm hopeful that you guys will to.

Tips on how to use this as a resource:

  1. Please share with all your family, friends, and Tongan language teachers you know.
  2. Play it for your kids or nephews & nieces, and practise speaking
  3.  If you can, mute it and read it allowed. Iʼm sure your voice will be much more better than mine.
  4. Get your kids thinking in Tongan or English with some questions like what do you think is going to happen? Ko e hā meʻa ʻe hoko mai? What do you think happens to the mouse at the end? Ko e hā meʻa ʻe hoko ki he kumaá?
  5. Learn the days of the week by asking sequence questions What did the mouse eat on Monday? Ko e hā meʻa ne kai e kumaá he ʻaho Mōnite?

Did you like it? Share your thoughts

Ka ʻi ai ha tō nounou pea kātakiʻi pe au. Hangē ko e lau ko e feinga pe maʻae fānau ke nau maʻu ha loto fiefia ʻo kau ai mo ha ako ki he lea faka-Tongá.

Fakafeta‘i: Praise the Lord

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This youtube clip is a great example of how we Sāmoans and Tongans learn back in the Islands. No matter where we are at Church or at School, singing and dancing is part of our DNA, instilled in us at a young age. Now most of us would be living far away from the Kingdom leading a western lifestyle but this is how we should approach our learning of the language. Making it fun. Boys should not be passively learning. And everyone is involved.  Sing-a-long now!

Samoan verse –
Ua ou sau te vivi’i le ali’i
Ae pe fa’apefea oe
Ua ou sau te vivi’i le ali’i
Ae pe fa’apefea oe
Ua ou sau te vivi’i le ali’i
Ae pe fa’apefea oe

Alelu, Alelu, Aleluia !!

English verse –
I don’t know what you came to do
But I came to praise The Lord
I don’t know what you came to do
But I came to praise The Lord
I don’t know what you came to do
But I came to praise The Lord

Hallelu, Hallelu, Hallelujah !!

5 Reasons your children are not speaking in Tongan

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5 reasons why your child is not speaking in Tongan

I read a great article on Multilingual living and decided to put together a TOP 5 REAONS why your children are not speaking in Tongan. In my own experience with my children these are the 5 top reasons why they were not speaking in Tongan. So you want your children to speak in Tongan but you are finding it very challenging. Consider these 5 reasons as to why or what is holding your child back. Same reasons here apply to anyone learning the Tongan language not just children.

1. Ongo fiemālie (Feel comfortable):

Do your children feel comfortable to speak the language? Are they continually getting told off to speak in Tongan by you the parent or grandparents? Do they get ridiculed for their speaking or lack of speaking abilities at school, by friends, at church. You need to encourage them and make them feel comfortable and it starts at home. As an example, I tried to give them positive experiences by reading the English bedtime stories in Tongan. I would also make my kids laugh with silly songs I made up for them.

2. Ngaahi tohi mo e naunau he lea faka-Tonga (Resources)

Do they have access to a wide range of learning materials in the Tongan language. This will continue to be a problem as there are no (in my opinion) interesting books or learning material in the Tongan language for children. Keep an eye out for the ebook (The Hungry little mouse) coming out soon on youtube.

3. ʻOku fakahā kita? (Exposure)

Are your children being exposed enough to the Tongan language. There may not be enough reading resources for children but they can listen to the language. There are plenty of digital radio programmes, Tongan songs and Tongan news all on youtube. While youʼre doing chores at home, play it in the background.

4. ʻOku fakalata? (Is it enjoyable?)

Is speaking in Tongan enjoyable for your children. Do they find it interesting or difficult and boring? Play games using the Tongan language will help make it enjoyable. Play cards, find items around the house, sing songs.

5. ʻOku i ai ha fiemaʻu? (Is there a need?)

Is there a need for them to speak in Tongan. Do they have grandparents or parents that can speak to Tongan to them? Are they part of a Tongan speaking Congregation? Are they in a language class that they need to speak in Tongan? Will they be visiting Tonga anytime soon?  If they see no apparent need to learn they will find it more difficult.

Did you find this useful? let me know.

Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?

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Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?.

Ko e fehu’i mālie eni ‘a Alando Soakai. A very interesting question by Alando Soakai. 

Have you been called ‘plastic’ because you speak more English than your native tongue?

Other terms used to address you and your identity for not speaking the language is a pālangi (foreigner) or fie pālangi (want to be a foreigner). Considering there are more Tongans living outside the Kingdom is plastic the new norm? Great article into his own experience which I know many can relate to. Click on the link to check it out. Is ‘plastic’ the new norm?.

Makahokovalu

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‘Oku ‘oatu ‘a e hiva ko eni ma’amoutolu kau ‘Uiha ma’alahi. Ka ‘i ai ha me’a ‘oku hala pea mou kataki ‘o tanaki mai. 

A good way to re-learn your language is through songs. This song sung by Teine Latu is a hiva hanu a lamenting song for ‘Uiha an Island in Ha’apai and perhaps a girl left behind. The italic bolded words are all landmarks associated with ‘Uiha. This is a literal translation of the song.

Makahokovalu 

  1. Fangufangu mohe he vaeua pō
  2. Si‘eku ‘ofa’ni mo e manako
  3. ‘Oku fuiva ‘a e si‘oku loto
  4. He fe‘ofa‘aki he vavamama‘o
  5. Ikai malava si‘ono ha‘aha‘a
  6.  Si‘eku ‘ofa’ni fai tokotaha
  7. Lotomo‘ua he fiemata
  8. Kae vaetu‘u a ‘e he vaha
  9. Makahokovalu te u si‘i fēfē?
  10. He ko e tauala ‘a e folau he
  11. Auhanga Mea ‘oku kei taka fe
  12. Liku’omatoto te u si‘i vale
  13. Tangi muimui si‘oku loto
  14. Ongo Ha‘angana ke ta fe‘ao
  15. ‘Otukinekina si‘oto makano
  16. Ko e na‘a a si‘i to‘onga pō
  17. Lose ‘o e MakakoFele’unga
  18. Tatongi ‘i hoku mafutefua
  19. Huni ‘o e ‘Api ko Hala ‘Ikumea
  20. Sio‘ata Vai ko Kanakana 

Makahokovalu

  1. Awoken from my slumber in the midnight hour
  2. My dear love and one desire
  3. My dear heart is a seabird
  4. that travels long-distance like our love.
  5. Not able to face her busy life full of difficulties
  6. My poor love doing it on her own
  7. My heart is concerned to see her
  8. But my feet stands still in this space/ time
  9. Makahokovalu what shall become of me?
  10. my voyage is sailing close to the wind
  11. but the wind keeps changing direction at Auhanga Mea Pass
  12. Cliff-bound coast of Matoto I will be a poor fool
  13. My dear heart cries following
  14. Two from Uiha look out for each other
  15. Weary Island (south of Uiha) is what one desires
  16. Calms my emotional state at night.
  17. The Rose of Rock of Fele’unga
  18. is imprinted in my heart makes it whole
  19. like the huni flowers at Home of Hala ‘Ikumea
  20. and the Mirrored waters of Kanakana.

 

Best websites for learning Tongan

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Ko e ‘uhinga eni ne u kamata ‘eku si’i feinga he ngalu’ea ma’amoutolu matua moe fanau.
I started my blog with parents, adults and children in mind to help with you all learn or be inspired to learn more. I must be doing something right. Thank you Alando Soakai for your vote. It is encouraging for me to do more. Mālō ‘aupito

Game: ko hai au? Who am i?

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I found this game “who am i” at the flee market last week and my kids and i have been having lots of fun. You ask questions, describing people in Tongan and the other person answers ‘Io pe ‘Ikai – yes or no.

image

Here are some basic questions and vocabulary for you to expand your repetoire.
Ko e siana/fefine koe? Are you male/female?
‘Oku’ke…. Are you…?
‘Oku’ke tui…. Are/do you wear(ing)…?
‘Oku ‘i ai ha…? Is there a…?
‘Ulupoko – bald
‘Ulukelo – blonde
‘Ulu lanumelomelo – brunette
‘Ulu loloa – long hair
‘Ulu mingimingi – curly hair
Ihu loloa – long nose
Mata sino – fat face
Matasio’ata – glasses
Tataa – hat
Kava – beard

Is this useful? Would you like to see something added let me know.

Hiva: Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki/ Song: I am Soldier of God

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I am a soldier of God

I heard this song during this years Children’s White Sunday and have found the words to it. I am an advocate for learning through play and song so enjoy. Is this useful? Let me know?

Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – I am a soldier of God
No’o’aki ‘a e mo’oni – tied on my belt with truth
tu’uaki e kosipeli – spreads the Gospel
pea he’ikai te u hola he fili – and I will not flee from being chosen
he ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – for I am a soldier of God

Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – I am a soldier of God
Kofutau’aki e mā‘oni’oni – i wear the breast shield of righteousness
mo’ui pe ‘i he kelesi – filled alive with grace
pea he’ikai te u hola he fili – and I will not flee from being chosen
he ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – for I am a soldier of God

Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – I am a soldier of God
topuva’e’aki e melino – my feet soled with peace
mo tukulolo kakato – and I surrender totally
pea he’ikai te u hola he fili – and I will not flee from being chosen
he ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – for I am a soldier of God

TAU
Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – I am a soldier of God
Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – I am a soldier of God
pea he’ikai te u hola he fili – and I will not flee from being chosen
he ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – for I am a soldier of God

Ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – I am a soldier of God
heletā‘aki e folofola – fight with the sword of the word of god
mo’ui’aki ‘ene ‘ofa – reborn with his love
pea he’ikai te u hola he fili – and I will not flee from being chosen
he ko e sotia au ‘a e ‘Eiki – for I am a soldier of God