Celebrating Tongan Language Week at Motueka Kindergarten
There was lots happening at Motueka Kindergarten during Lea Faka-Tonga / Tongan Language Week, as tamariki and kaiako spent time exploring Tongan language, music, stories, games, food and cultural traditions.
Tamariki discovering Tongan music with Kaiako Matua Joeline.
This was the third year Motueka Kindergarten has celebrated Tongan Language Week, and this year’s theme was Ko 'etau hiva, ko e fe'unu mahu'inga ia ki he mo'ui 'a e Tonga, focusing on the importance of Tongan music and its role in identity and heritage.
Music and dance are a special part of Tongan culture. They help tell stories, celebrate traditions and connect people with their heritage. So naturally, there was plenty of music and waiata happening throughout the week!
Tamariki learned songs including Nima Little Ducks, Ulu, Uma, Tui mo e Va’e (Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes), Fuopotopoto (a shape song), the Tongan Alphabet song, Tongan Baby Bird and Malimali Mai, an action song. Tongan music also played in the background as tamariki got involved in other activities.
Tamariki also tried their hand at screen printing, made fans, created art, played puzzles and heuristic games, dressed up in costumes and learned about ngatu (tapa cloth). They also explored traditional games, including hiko, a traditional female juggling game.
One of the highlights was having a Motueka whānau member come in and teach the tamariki how to play string games - a lovely way to share knowledge and culture directly with the tamariki.
Of course, no celebration would be complete without some food! Tamariki helped bake Pai Siamu, a popular scone-like dough rolled up with jam. If you ask Joeline, Kaiako Matua at Motueka Kindergarten, this was her favourite part of the week – “Ifa!” (delicious!)
The tamariki also picked up some new Tongan words and phrases along the way, including Mālō e lelei (hello), Fēfē hake? (how are you?) and Sai pē, mālō (good, thank you), as well as words for counting, colours and shapes.
The screen-printing activity was a particular favourite with the tamariki, and they enjoyed it so much that the kindergarten decided to keep Tongan learning going for another week!
Learning, sharing and belonging
For Motueka Kindergarten, celebrating Tongan Language Week is about sharing and experiencing Tongan culture together, while helping create a place where language, culture and identity are valued. It also gives all tamariki the chance to learn about and appreciate the cultures that are part of their kindergarten whānau.
“It helped us to weave a sense of belonging into our everyday learning,” says Joeline. “Through learning together, we celebrated the beautiful diversity within our community and reinforced the message that everyone has a valued place in our kindergarten whānau.”
And it’s not just the tamariki who are learning. Each year brings something new for the kaiako too.
“We learn more and more every year. The more we learn, the more we realise we don’t know, and this drives us to deepen our learning more.”
It sounds like Tongan Language Week may have finished, but the learning and curiosity it sparked at Motueka Kindergarten will carry on.
A glimpse into Tongan Language Week at Motueka Kindergarten. Click on a photo to take a closer look.
