PEOPLE OF THE SEA
Words by Porita Fruean (she/her)
Vigorous, energetic, and mobile. That is Pasifika people. We were born with the strength to be active on our lands and in our oceans; to harvest for our families, for our communities, and our villages. The people of the Pasifika are people born with a sense of activeness. Our paradise, our green mountains, and our blue seas offer us the chance to strengthen this sense of activeness. For, even before we came to be the Pasifika, we have always been active in our canoes, with the hopes of finding our forever homes. In that journey, our ancestors earned our people the title of being ‘The People of the Sea’.
Many may ask how we carry with us today the stories of how we came to be. The answer is that we may be people that work our lands and oceans, but we are also storytelling people. We tell stories that define us, stories of who we are, the stories of our ancestors, and the stories of the People of the Sea.
Storytelling became something much more than just stories, it became the way for our people to pass down their culture from one generation to another. It was not limited to just word of mouth, but our storytelling was carried through dances, songs, traditional games, and artefacts. Each activity carries its own meaning for each respective island. There is one that brings us all together, one that connects, one that brought us to be the People of the Sea: canoeing. Canoeing is a sign of togetherness for the Pasifika community. We sailed in search of a paradise, through the rough seas and the burning sun, and realised in the depths of that hard journey that we are on. In this togetherness, our Mana Pasifika was born.
Today, canoeing has become a sport. We use canoeing to celebrate the success of our ancestors. It is an activity that we enjoy on a good sunny day and take pride in. Though it might seem easy, it is one challenging activity. It trains the mind to control the strength of your body, for when the currents are strong we cannot stop paddling, we must keep going until we reach the finish line. Not only does it require teamwork, it also trains and disciplines our bodies and minds.
Before this summer comes to a halt, we, the Pasifika community in VUW, encourage you, your friends, and your flatmates to try out the Pasifika way of having fun. Put your mind and body to the test, but at the same time, have fun. Take time out this summer to enjoy, explore, and put your canoeing skills to the test.