Traditional Tokelau wrestling teaches bigger lesson at Easter festival for youth

Young Tokelauans received a unique opportunity to learn traditional Tokelau wrestling at this year's Tokelau Easter Festival in Wellington's Hutt Valley.

The Tokelau Easter Festival took place for the first time in many years following a series of Covid-19-related cancellations. Since its establishment in 1978, the festival has brought together Tokelauans living in Aotearoa to compete in different sports during the Easter weekend.

This year's sports featured rugby league, netball, tag football and for the first time, a four hour session of Fagatua (traditional Tokelau wrestling). Fagatua expert Ilai Elekana Manū says the event's theme really pushed youngsters to learn and connect to their culture.

“My fellow wrestler Ioka Simeona and I were able to hold a traditional wrestling workshop which was largely youth focused and the way it worked out was just kids wrestling for four hours straight. All the kids really enjoyed it, the parents loved seeing it.

“For them, it was the first time being exposed to this type of wrestling, so they’d learn the Tokelau terms and we let them go at it all day. Most of them are picking up new skills and learning their culture at the same time.”

The festival welcomed groups of Tokelauans from different regions in the country, including Auckland, Manawatu, Taupo, Rotorua, Porirua and Hutt Valley. This year's theme was, “Ko te tupulaga o Tokelau ko te lumanaki o Tokelau - Young people of Tokelau are the future leaders of Tokelau”.

Youngsters at the Tokelau Easter Festival during a 'Fagatua' demonstration.

Manū says the festival had historically been tailored for adults, but as time moved on it became more youth focused.

“We have a high multi-ethnic population, seeing kids hold other cultures they’re involved with. So keeping that catchment of youth involved in the Tokelau culture is important.

“The hosts did such a great job showcasing the youth, we had youth speakers come up during the whole weekend doing speeches incorporating gagana Tokelau.

“It’s really important we continue driving their involvement, showcasing them and giving them opportunities to get involved. And the Hutt Valley hosts did a great job.”

Manū was the sole athlete representing Tokelau at the 2023 Pacific Games, competing in Judo. He was also a keynote speaker for the event, and wanted his speech to reflect the teachings of Fagatua.

“The message I wanted to convey was that in our traditional wrestling, there are qualities and benefits that reach far beyond the physical elements. It teaches us parts of our culture, different values, [like] getting along with each other, showing love, compassion and respect.

“With fagatua, there’s a gesture that starts a match where someone initiates a challenge with a pokotau. And in the Tokelauan culture, if someone challenges you, you can’t turn that challenge down.

“So I acknowledge that we all go through challenges in life, but we focus on being prepared and having confidence, having your family behind you.”