TAKOHI: DRAWING IN TONGAN THINKING AND PRACTICE

Authors

Hūfanga, ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Moana University of Technology and Vava‘u Academy for Critical Inquiry and Applied ResearchFollow

Abstract

This original essay critically examines takohi as drawing in Tongan thinking and practice, which is connected with the intersecting or connecting and separating kohi (lines) and va (spaces) across the three divisions of Tongan art, notably tufunga (material) and nimamea’a (fine) arts. The word kohi is the older form of tohi, both of which mean “line.” Kohi, like tohi, is an expression of ta (time). By virtue of the indivisibility of ta (time) and va (space) in reality, as in nature, mind, and society, takohi (drawing) is equal to ta-va (time-space), with ta (time) spatially-composed and va (space) as temporally-marked. Like kohi, tohi also means “writing,” that is, “drawing” expressed as intersecting or connecting and separating kohi (lines) and va (spaces).

Recommended Citation

Māhina, Hūfanga, ‘Ōkusitino (2017) "TAKOHI: DRAWING IN TONGAN THINKING AND PRACTICE," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 40: No. 1, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol40/iss1/7