FAIVA FAKAOU: THE TONGAN PERFORMANCE ART OF HUMOR

Authors

'Okusitino Māhina, Massey University-Albany Campus and Vava'u Academy for Critical Inquiry and Applied Research, Auckland, New ZealandFollow

Abstract

This essay will critically examine faiva fakaoli, literally translated as "the art of funny things, in a number of separate but connected unique and universal contexts. I wish to make clear right from the outset that this essay is not an exercise in theoretically and practically reviewing the existing literature on humor, nor an attempt to make a comprehensive examination of what humor is, i.e., its form and content, nor, for that matter, what humor does, i.e., its social function.' While the theoretical and practical, ontological; and epistemological, or qualitative and utilitarian questions are extremely important, my principal concerns are with faiva fakaoli, i.e., the Tongan art of humor. I will situate my topic in the broader theoretical-practical, ontological-epistemological, qualitative-utilitarian contexts of the subject of humor, but only insofar as some of its relevant associated aspects have merged with my investigation of Tongan humor. I hope, then, to contribute some answers to these broader- based, more generalized qucstious is and does.

Recommended Citation

Māhina, 'Okusitino (2008) "FAIVA FAKAOU: THE TONGAN PERFORMANCE ART OF HUMOR," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 31: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol31/iss1/2