Week 8 Term 1 - Culture, Language + Idenity

CULTURE

Culture is a term that describes 'the way of life' for groups of people. It is an integrated pattern of human knowledge, beliefs, behaviors, traditions and customs that is shared within a community of people. I am currently in the thick of 'culture' at the moment as I along with 57 students, 2 staff members and 5 tutors prepare for the ASB Polyfest 2021. After last year's cancellation, the festival is making a return this year in April. In preparation for this year's festival the team and I have had to really think about what our approach is, what our purpose is and WHY we are choosing to do this. When you enter a competition of course there is a desire to do well and to win, however after 10 years of participating in this competition the idea of 'winning' means more than just getting a trophy at prizegiving.

Learning, understanding and respecting 'culture' is one of my goals for the Samoan Group this year. The Samoan culture is characterized by Fa'a Samoa, as Annelie Hansen states "Fa’a Samoa, in the beautiful Samoan language, literally means “The Samoan Way.” The phrase refers to the Samoan culture and traditions that color the everyday lives of many Samoan people." The key concepts and traditions that color Samoan culture that I aim to integrate into the Samoan Group this year are: 

• Collectivism - Working together as team. As a community, Fa'a Samoa is a way of life that is inclusive and grounded on the efforts of the collective, the aiga, the family. When someone is suffering or celebrating, the collective comes together in support. For my Samoan Group, this is crucial. 
• Respect - A vital value not just in our cultural fabric but also in our school's mantra. Respect plays an important part in any relationship, without it there are no boundaries. This year's Samoan Group (like every year) is made up of students from different ethnic groups, different walks of life - it is important that in order for this to work, that all involved respect each other. 
• Reciprocity - Fa'a Samoa is often criticized by the nature in which reciprocity is shown. There is a focus on showing reciprocity through gifting of money to family and church. Yes, this can be stressful and demanding - that is a fact. However the principle with reciprocity focusses more on showing respect and love to those who have done the same to you. 

The students who make up this year's performance group differ in their experiences of Fa'a Samoa or in their experiences of their respective culture. Regardless of where they sit in terms of knowledge of their cultural customs and language - my goal is that the key concepts of Fa'a Samoa are visible and grounded in everything that we do. These concepts are transferable in any situation, in any relationship. I believe that this is the type of 'culture' that is needed and that young people thrive in. 

LANGUAGE

Something that I feel quite vulnerable with is that I am not fluent in speaking Samoan. Growing up with a large extended family (who are all fluent) and attending a Samoan church, I felt inadequate when it came to conversing with my family and friends. It is not until I got married and spent time with my wife's family that my conversational skills in Samoan have improved (they only speak to me in Samoan so I have no choice but to respond and understand - mistakes and all!) Rather than flog off my lack of, I have embraced it and have learnt to insert myself in Fa'a Samoa through my service to my family and church. I have grown to understand and appreciate the language through this service and this is something that I hope to grow into. 

Tamaki College Samoan Group 2021: Rehearsal

The Samoan Group performance is made up of six items. Five of the six items are sung so learning, singing and perfecting the language is key as it is an integral part of the performance. My goal is for the language - regardless if it is fluent or hard for the students - that they understand and respect the beautiful nature of the language. These words that they are performing have either been written specifically for them or have been passed on through villages - I want the students to appreciate the language in the hope that they will appreciate the intricacy of their own mother tongue. 

IDENTITY

Knowing who you are is a journey. I believe that this is an on-going, life-long journey that we grow into. I believe that events like Polyfest is a great platform to help students to understand who they are, where they come from and appreciate it in all their glory. I can remember one student in particular who joined the 2011 Samoan Group. This student was not Samoan but is Tongan and was 'removed' so to speak from her own culture. Joining a different group and learning about Fa'a Samoa and the language tied to it was not only a memorable experience but also a rewarding one as it helped her appreciate her own culture. This is a 'winning' moment that no competition or trophy can justify. My hope is that all students involved can feel a sense of belonging and also feel strengthened in who they are. They can feel a sense of achievement by doing something that is out of their comfort zone, through this the hope is that they can realize their own potential. 

Doing something like this can be incrediably draining. It is, the demands and stakes are high when you are preparing for a competition. How you approach it can determine how you will experience it. My goal to foster culture, language and identity through performing arts is what I am grounded myself on. Everything else that happens is a bonus. Just enjoy the ride!