LE FUIA, LE FUIA, E TAGISIA LOU VAELAU “STARLING, STARLING, WE PINE FOR YOUR NIMBLENESS”: TOWARDS A SAMOAN INDIGENOUS FRAMING OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR “CLIMATE CHANGE”

Authors

Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta‘isi Tupuola Tufuga Efi, State of Samoa

Abstract

"Over a century ago Augustin Kramer recorded a Samoan song with the line: le fuia, le fuia, e tagisia lou vaelau. I have translated this into English as “Starling, starling, we pine for your nimbleness.” The references to nimbleness and to the fuia, or native Samoan starling bird, are literal and metaphorical and were chosen deliberately for their ability to make visible an indigenous context. The line reminds that, with skill and dexterity, one can find in nature balance, hope, and support despite the potentially harmful effects of gravity. This address uses this phrase and its Samoan indigenous references to frame an indigenous contribution to current conversations on what to do about the effects of climate change. It argues that for the island Pacific to have a say in how its islands are to survive, we must take the time and space necessary to openly dialog in the manner and style of the fuia."

Recommended Citation

Efi, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Ta‘isi Tupuola Tufuga (2018) "LE FUIA, LE FUIA, E TAGISIA LOU VAELAU “STARLING, STARLING, WE PINE FOR YOUR NIMBLENESS”: TOWARDS A SAMOAN INDIGENOUS FRAMING OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR “CLIMATE CHANGE”," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 41: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol41/iss1/2