pacific symbols and their stories they share - … symbols2013.pdf · pacific symbols and the...

1

Pacific symbols and the

stories they share

Pre-visit lesson 3 for Te Tuhi LEOTC programme

‘Stories from the Pacific’.

2

By completing this

learning sheet we will:

• learn about Pacific symbols that are drawn and

painted on Pacific tapa cloth, namely Ngatu and

Siapo.

• learn the meaning and story behind these symbols.

• study each symbol by looking carefully at the shapes,

lines, colour and patterns created.

• continue to learn about these symbols by drawing

the symbols ourselves.

• be inspired by these symbols and their meanings to

design our own symbols based on our personal

story.

3

Symbols in

Ngatu: Design in Tongan

tapa cloth

4

Fata 'o Tu'i Tonga

Fata ‘o Tu’I Tonga is a symbol that comes from

Tonga and is seen in many ngatu (Tongan tapa

cloth). The symbol refers to the house of the king, in

particular, the central beam of the house.

The symbol reflects the sennit bindings that hold

and support the central beam, which supports the

thatched roof.

Carefully look at the design of the symbol, in

particular where the lines meet and where parts of it

are coloured.

Now complete the drawing in the box above to

create the Fata 'o Tu'i Tonga symbol.

5

Manulua

Manulua is the name for one of the oldest design

patterns found in the making of traditional Tongan

bark cloth. Translated directly, Manulua refers to

two birds or two pairs of bird wings.

The deeper meaning of this pattern is to bring two

groups or families together to form a new union.


particular the triangle shapes created and where

parts of it are coloured.


create the Manulua symbol.

6

Leva

Leva is a simple design which features in many

different Ngatu and illustrates the shape and

arrangement of Leva berries.

The design of the Leva varies sometimes including

between single dots and clusters of three to five

berries with leaves surrounding.


particular how the symbol is arranged and how far

apart each dot is from one another.


create the Leva symbol.

7

Hala Paini

Hala Paini is the motif representing the Norfolk Pines

that line the street to the Royal Palace of Tonga.

Norfolk Pines originate from Norfolk Island which is

located in between Australia, New Caledonia and

New Zealand.

The design of Hala Paini reflects the shape of the

pointy tree with its branches spread out on an angle.

Triangular shapes help show the earth below the

trees while a moon, a sun and star help show the sky.


particular how the symbol is arranged used to create

the symbol.


create the Hala Paini symbol.

8

Ikale Tahi

Ikale Tahi translated sea eagle is a symbol that

shows a sea eagle in flight. The symbol can help

reflect Tonga as a country but also through varied

designs can reflect individual villages. Ikale Tahi is

also a symbol and nickname for the national

rugby team of Tonga.

The design of Ikale Tahi focuses on the shape

and body of the eagle while flying. We see

lines, shapes and patterns that show the

feathers, feet and eyes of the eagle.


particular the position of the eagle, the shapes

and lines drawn to show specific details of the

eagle and the parts coloured.

Now complete the drawing in the box

above to create the Ikale Tahi symbol.

9

Fetu’ufuka

Fetu’ufuka is one of varied designs reflecting a comet

travelling in outer space. Many symbols in Ngatu are

records in Tonga’s history, this one included, in

particular when Halley’s comet made an appearance

in 1910. Halley’s comet reappears every 70-80 years.

This design of Fetu’ufuka shows the comet in the

center and in a circular shape. The six points reflect

the vapour trail all comets or meteors leave as they

travel.


particular where the lines connect, which parts are

coloured and the shapes inside and around the

comet.


create the Fetu’ufuka symbol.

10

Symbols in

Siapo: Design in Samoan

tapa cloth

11

Fa’a ‘aveau

The Fa’a ‘aveau is a symbol from Samoa that can be found

on many Siapo designs.

The design easily reflects the shape of a starfish with

its multiple points. Because of the simplicity and

shape of this symbol it is often mistaken for a sun.


particular where the points end and which way each

point is rotating.


create the Fa’a ‘aveau symbol.

12

Fa’a ‘ali’ao

Fa’a ‘ali’ao is a tapa pattern found on many siapo

designs. The symbol reflects the Trochus found on the

beaches of Samoa.

The shell is triangular in shape and can be arranged

different to create new shapes such as a diamond.


particular where the points meet and what shapes

have been created.


create the Fa’a ‘ali’ao symbol.

13

Tusili’i

The small lines represent the midrib of the coconut

leaf. The wavey lines symbolize the hand woven

sennit (braided coconut fiber).

We can see the hand woven sennit helps keep large

pieces of wood together. This can be seen in many

small and large fale (house) or va’a (boat/canoe).


particular where the points end and which way each

point is rotating.


create the Tusili’i symbol.

14

Fa’a lau paogo

Paogo is Samoan for a particular type of pandanus

tree, however, is also used to describe the pandanus

tree in general.

In the Fa’a lau paogo symbol we can see the design is

inspired by the blooming sharp shape of the

Pandanus leaf.


particular what shapes have been created and which

parts a coloured.


create the Fa’a lau paogo symbol.

15

Fa’a tuli

There are many tapa designs inspired by birds

including Fa’a tuli or the Sandpiper bird seen on

siapo.

Symbols such as Fa’a tuli are sometimes inspired by

the shape of bird’s feathers, the footprints they leave

in sand or the ‘v’ shape they make when in flight.


particular the shapes created, the parts that are

coloured and parts that have lines.


create the Fa’a tuli symbol.

16

Fa’a atualoa

The Fa’a atualoa symbol reflects the centipede, an

insect found in Samoa. This symbol appears on earlier

works of Siapo and had also been seldom used over

time but is now being reintroduced.

The Fa’a atualoa symbol is another simple design and

captures the basic form of the centipede. We can see

the body and legs of the centipede have been across

the square. Beside the centipede could be leaves

showing the centipede crawling along the ground.


particular where the centipede is drawn, the shape of

the centipede and the parts coloured and patterned.


create the Fa’a atualoa symbol.

17

Now that we have studied these symbols carefully, let’s pick three Ngatu and Siapo symbols we like the most. In the bubbles

below write about why you like them. Once we have finished draw a line tying the bubble to symbol you like.

18

Image source:

Pg 1, 2, 3, 10

Neich, Roger and Pendergrast, Mick. Pacific Tapa. Auckland NZ:

David Bateman Ltd, 1997.

Pg 4, 13

http://www.pinterest. com/pin/503347695823686263/

Pg 5

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wik i/File:Damier_du_Cap_-

_Cape_Petrel.jpg

Pg 6

http://www.srpf.org/content/flowers. php

Pg 7

http://en.wikipedia. org/wik i/Mala'ekula

Pg 8

http://www.smscs. com/photo/eag le_desk top_wallpaper/26.html

Pg 9

http://www.space. com/19878-halleys-comet. html

Pg 11

http://www.pacificcreststock.com/blog/cape-k iwanda-and-pacific-

city-oregon-the-perfect-beach-vacation

Pg 12

http://www.mesa.edu.au/aquaculture/aquaculture39. asp.

Pg14

http://www.flickr.com/photos/87453322@ N00/4273265015/

Pg 15

http://www.bio-diversity-nevis.org/shore_birds. htm

Pg 16

http://www.flickr.com/photos/seereev es/2198184144/

19

Te Tuhi Centre for the Arts

Learning Experiences Outside the Classroom Program

13 Reeves Road, Pakuranga, Auckland 2010

Education Officer: Jeremy Leatinu’u

Phone: (09) 577 0138 ext 7703

Fax: (09) 577 0139

Email: [email protected]

www.tetuhi.org.nz

pacific symbols and their stories they share - … symbols2013.pdf · pacific symbols and the...

Documents