Tā, ruḁ, häke: Let's celebrate Rotuman Language Week!

Noa’ia ‘e Mauri, gagaj ‘atakoa! Greetings, everyone! It’s that time of year when different Pacific cultures take centre stage for a week of traditional food, fun, and festivities.

Rotuman is the first of 12 languages celebrated in dedicated weeks until the end of November.

PMN Rotuma producer Alfie Prasad says the weeklong theme honours the faith that is the foundation of the island's culture, and keeps the language alive both at home and abroad.

Speaking to John Pulu on PMN Tonga, Prasad explains, “For those of you who think the Rotuman language is a tongue twister, it is: Åf'ạkia ma Rak'ạkia 'os Fäega ma Ag Fak Rotuma - tēfakhanisit Gagaja nā se ‘äe ma gou.

“And the English translation goes, ‘Treasure and teach our Rotuman language and culture, a gift given to you and I by God.”

Prasad says while the focus is on using the language at every opportunity, there are new ways to access language tools through technology.

“Now that we have such a digitally-engrained generation, I think one of the approaches is to be creative with the way that we use the language, how we use digital platforms to spread the language, rather than it just being a home-based approach.”

Quick facts

Rotuma is a group of volcanic islands located 646 kilometres north of Fiji. Its population is about 2000 people, and it has been a political dependency of Fiji since 1881.

Rotuma’s culture and language share similarities with neighbouring Pacific islands like Tahiti, Tonga, Uvea, and Futuna. But it has a distinctive language featuring a unique vowel system of 10 sounds, some of which are not found in any other Pacific language.

Watch Rotuman youth rehearse their dance item at the Whānau Community Centre & Hub in Mt Roskill, Auckland.

The written language includes diacritics, which alter the pronunciation of words, and some letters change their form in different contexts.

English and French missionaries, such as Clerk Maxwell Churchward, who had experience translating biblical texts in Fijian and Tongan, found various versions or orthographies of the Rotuman language.

Notable New Zealanders with Rotuman heritage include Ngaire Fuata, a former singer and songwriter; Rocky Khan, a former All Blacks sevens star; and supercar driver Jaxon Evans.

A unique tradition known as Fara is celebrated during the Christmas holiday, from 1 December to 1 January. Families go door to door for festive singing and dancing, where the dancers and their hosts are served food and drink, and sometimes doused with perfume and powder as a sign of appreciation.

Rotuma is situated more than 600km north of Fiji's main islands. Image/Google Maps

How to celebrate Rotuma Language Week

In March, Pacific Peoples’ Minister Dr Shane Reti announced the dates for the language weeks and encouraged all New Zealanders to take part.

“Last year, the Pacific language week series saw an incredible response, with thousands of New Zealanders participating in events and activities,” he says.

“From cultural performances and storytelling sessions to engaging social media campaigns viewed over a million times, the celebrations highlighted the powerful role language plays in connecting and inspiring communities.”

Reti says he has “heard firsthand how important the language week series is to Pacific communities and how it affirms the relationships we have with Pacific island nations”.

Watch Alfie Prasad's full interview on PMN Tonga below.

Prasad encourages families who may not feel confident in teaching the language to get involved. He invites Aotearoa’s diaspora, comprising hundreds of individuals, and others to participate in local events.

Prasad is hosting an event on Thursday in South Auckland, and encourages others to come along and learn how to make a Rotuman lei called tefui.

“Tefui is the traditional Rotuman garland that we wear on special occasions. Bring your children and bring your families. It's a fun time to be able to learn how to make the intricate Rotuman tefui.”

Members of the Rotuman community, featuring the iconic tefui garlands. Photo/MPP

Some events across the country:

• 11 May 10.30am: Special combined service to mark Mother’s Day and the opening of Rotuman Language Week. 400 New North Road, Kingsland, Auckland. Followed by a shared lunch. Click here for the livestream link.

• 12 May 8am: Flag raising ceremony, Porirua City Council, 17 Parumoana St, Porirua

• 12 May 6-9pm: Fun evening with Kḁinaga at 120 Glendale Rd, Glen Eden.

• 13 May: Rotuma Day

• 15 May 2-5pm: Tefui making workshop at Westfield Manukau Shopping Centre, Auckland. Located in the Atrium, next to the food court.

• 16 May 5.45-8.15pm: Fere Friday, fun for kids and families at Bounce Avondale, 6 Jomac Place, Avondale

• 17 May 10am: Kato'aga with NZRF Mᾳirani Group. Tautoga performance at Auckland Museum

• 17 May 12.30pm: Shared lunch at Marcellin College Auckland

• 17 May 11am NZRF Wellington, Meet and Greet and Cultural display at Brandon Intermediate, 32 Driver Crescent, Cannons Creek, Porirua

• 17 May 6pm: Closing celebration, West Melton Community Centre 1163 West Coast Rd, Canterbury.

The New Zealand Pacific Language Weeks series started in 2010, with Rotuma added in 2020. This year also marks the debut of Bislama, the national language of Vanuatu.

Image/MPP