‘You never leave your homeland’: Why Rotuman Language Week is every week

A Rotuman-Fijian university student says Rotuman Language Week is great, but it is even greater when language is embraced daily.

This year’s Rotuma Language Week runs from 11 to 17 May under the theme “Åf'ạkia ma rak'ạkia 'os fäega ma ag fak Rotuma”, which translates to “treasure and teach our Rotuman language and culture”.

Hatamara Titifanue Shaw, a fifth-year student at Victoria University of Wellington, is pursuing a Bachelor of Laws with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a minor in Chinese.

Speaking to Tofiga Fepulea’i on Island Time, Shaw, born in Fiji and raised in Wellington, says no matter where you are, “you never really leave your homeland”.

Shaw says every year or so, she and her family travel back to their homeland to reconnect with family or attend events. The experience allows her to appreciate both the “melting pot of different cultures” in Aotearoa and the unique cultural dynamics of her ancestral home.

“It was helpful to shape me and who I am. Having that ability is quite nice, because it gives you the flexibility to go between different cultures and different ways of life. My mum used to always say, ‘you take your English shoes off when you're back home’,” she says.

“In the island way of life that culture never leaves you, wherever you go you take that with you, that's who you are. I'm so grateful to have that diverse experience.”

To celebrate Rotuman Language Week, Shaw hosted a barbecue on campus outside the Kelburn Recreation Centre. She invited students with the promise of “free food” and asking each guest to greet her with a Rotuman phrase.

As vice-president of Victoria’s Pasifika Students Council, she coordinates grants for smaller societies and oversees Pasifika Week and multiple language-week events, finding fulfillment in the “nitty-gritty” work.

Watch Hatamara Titifanue Shaw’s full interview below.

Rotuman community

Shaw’s deep roots in the Rotuman community were established long before she was born, as her parents and other members were integral to the Rotuman Fellowship.

While Wellington is a “wonderful” and diverse place, Shaw says it can be challenging for many Pacific Islanders to feel connected, emphasising the importance of creating a village beyond the household.

“My Aunty Aggie, my Auntie Rosa, who recently passed away, all started the Rotuman community so that we could be able to connect and share our culture because we're so far away from home. Even in Fiji, you're still far away from your homeland.

“I grew up going to different meetings, sitting in the hall, watching my parents be leaders and that's how I got involved. You do different cultural groups or performances. I used to be in different plays with my different aunties and uncles.”

Now, Shaw takes on a leadership role for her younger nieces and nephews, guiding them through their culture using the lessons she learned from her parents.

“Now growing up, I am able to almost be a leader to like my younger nieces and nephews and help them through the culture, and what I was taught from my mum and dad. So that was really cool.”

Rotuman Language Week wraps up this weekend with a flurry of activities across the motu. Photo/Ministry for Pacific Peoples

Rotuman all day, every day

Shaw believes that launching Rotuman Language Week as the first Pacific language week of the year presents a great opportunity for the community to strongly represent itself and advocate to make the language a part of daily life, not just a once-a-year celebration.

“It's every week of the year. Having that one week to highlight our language is super important, but carrying that on through, trying my best to speak with my mum at home and with the community here in Wellington, it's important for us.

“It's important for us to take pride and show our culture and language off.”