10/12/2019
As a Tongan, the concept of Kainga, (‘Ohana, ‘Ainga, tauhi-va and etc…) has always been the perpetuated notion of how I feel about the inner-connectedness of what it means to be human. It is something that makes me stop and think about the bigger question of life—why am I here? Nevertheless, for my dad, another year has been added. Therefore, I celebrate Life and the Love of the Almighty.
Earlier today, I attended the Tongan Community Family Day. As I watched people passed by and murmured “malo, feefee hake? Again, I am reminded of how comforting it is to celebrate my Tonganess—the very essence of what makes me. Instead of wondering, what story behind each person that passes by? I take comfort in knowing that their story is my story—here we can celebrate our “va” the sacred space which often reserved to only us Tongans’ understanding—Tauhi Va. One of the most powerful tools that kept our Kainga strong is “Tauhi Va” No matter how different the opinions, no matter what religion, no matter nationality, we all have moved into the sacred space of “Tauhi Va” the paramount of Tongans relationships; hence, Kaingas are much stronger
To my dad, my sisters and my brothers, our heart celebrated our dad’s birthday today because we have kept the sacred space of the “Tauhi Va” sacred and with that: a big Texas malo 'aupito.
Malo Solomone Lupeheke and Manongi for bringing us together
‘Ofa Lahi atu.
t'kepa
No comments:
Post a Comment