VAKA, FALE, MOE KAVA: BOAT, HOUSE, AND KAVA – MANA STRUCTURES, MANA SPACES

Authors

Tavakefai‘ana, Sēmisi Fetokai Potauaine, Vava‘u Academy of Critical Inquiry and Applied Research, and Unitec Institute of Technology
Bruce Sione To‘a Moa, Vava‘u Academy of Critical Inquiry and Applied Research
Sione Lavenita Vaka, Auckland University of Technology
Hūfanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu, ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Vava‘u Academy for Critical Inquiry and Applied Research

Abstract

Our collective aim in this essay is to critically examine the fakafelavai intersection, or fakahoko connection and fakamāvae separation, of the vaka boat, fale house, and kava in terms of both art work and art use. The vaka boat and fale house are associated with tufunga the material arts of tufunga fo‘uvaka boat-building and tufunga langafale house-building, and kava with faiva the performance art of faiva inukava kava-drinking; all bearing immense material–physical, psychological–emotional, and social–cultural significance. All three are variously associated with the ceremonial as tapu structures and places possessing mana power and ivi energy of great potupotutatau harmony and faka’ofo’ofa/mālie beauty/quality, having some therapeutic, hypnotic, or psychoanalytic affects and effects. Herein, kava was created at the intersection, or connection and separation, of the vaka boat and the fale house, where the vaka boat is a fale fakafo‘ohake upside-down house and fale house a vaka fakafo‘ohifo downside-up boat, all associated with the natural elements, such as the winds and waves.

Recommended Citation

Potauaine, Tavakefai‘ana, Sēmisi Fetokai; Moa, Bruce Sione To‘a; Vaka, Sione Lavenita; and Māhina, Hūfanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu, ‘Ōkusitino (2021) "VAKA, FALE, MOE KAVA: BOAT, HOUSE, AND KAVA – MANA STRUCTURES, MANA SPACES," Pacific Studies Journal: Vol. 44: No. 1, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/pacific-studies-journal/vol44/iss1/6