Song and Dance of Tokelau

Pehe are chants of Tokelau, while pehe anamua are oklden chants; hiva are dances. Together, they are renowned types of music in Tokelua. The well-known type of folk music is known as fatele, a dance performed at many community gatherings and occasions. Each of the chants starts with a stanza that is repeated up to a half-dozen times, accompanied by increased pitch and rhythm near the end of the piece. This custom is widespread with the music of Tuvalu. Fetele is a chant type which is an abridged and captivating chant version of works which are situated specific and sung to the text pattern. The community is frequently aware of the singer’s able to compose and version such chants. The experienced composer and singer of these chants are known as pulotu. One such pulotu which is renowned among the public is known as lhaia who us not only a singer but also a carpenter and fisherman, with speech-making skills combined with comedy.

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Siva is another type of chant and dance which is played to soft music which is akin to the Hawaiian hula. In this type hand and arm languages are coordinated with communicative eye trends. The men perform the war dance which is known as the men’s siva. Older women also perform siva and challenge the palagis (which means the local name for westerners) and the Pago Samoans to dance with them. Other types of chant and dance include the following such as the hake, a line dance with stick; hiva hahaka, an action song which is sung with a seated chorus; mauluulu, a seated orchestra dance with men and women artists; tafoe, which is danced with spinning foes (like canoe paddles); anduapaupa or opaopa, which is done by women and also includes an rudiment of humor.

Fakanau are fishing chants. Hoa are sung with dominate and answering voices; tuala wedding drumming chants, are a type of hoa. Mako (which is a love chants) are sung by an individual and include sexual or emotional phrasing. Pehe lagilagi is sung in four-part accord while seated. Tagi are also chants within tales. Funerals chants which include the vale 9memorial) and haumate (laments).

The New Zealand-based ensemble known as Te Vaka is composed of Tokelauans living in New Zealand, and it also has members from Samoa and Tuvalu. They have attained international commercial achievement. Many of their chants join rudiments of Tokelauan music. Their music and dance pattern are not the folk Pacific Ocean genre and does not just comprise guitar and hula skirts, typical of the ocean area. They have released many albums and toured to Europe, England and Australia. The music orchestras have combined folk music and current patterns and put the music of Tokelau as the dominating group from the country. They released their initial album in the year 1997 which was known as the Te Vaka. The second album was recorded in the year 1999 which was known as Ki Mua. The music orchestra is led by Opetaia who is versatile, performs on guitar, drumming, sings and also the music composer. His music was encouraged by the oral custom of the traditional stories narrated by his people.