item details
Overview
At Tongan funerals in New Zealand, all attendees are expected to be dressed in black clothing accompanied with a ta'ovala (overskirt). Since the late 20th century, some families have produced memorial shirts printed with images, proverbs or memorial statements about family members who have passed away.
Significance
This memorial hoodie was produced in memory of Tevita Tofavaha Tuai who passed away in Auckland, New Zealand in 2011. Similar shirts and hoodies were distributed to members of the family from Tonga, Australia and New Zealand.
The hoodie is screen printed on front with an image of Tevita and on the back with one of his favourite biblical verses.
Saame 100:1-2
1. Mou mavava ki he ‘Otua e, ‘A e ngaahi fonua kotoa pe.
2. Tauhi ‘a Sihova ‘aki ‘a e fiefia: Hu ki hono ‘ao mo e kaikaila.
(Tongan translation)
Psalm 100: 1-2
1. Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.
2. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Acquisition history
This hoodie was acquired from Kenneth Tuai (Cultural Advisor - Fashion Curator) as part of his co-collecting project titled “Tufunga Teuteu, Faiva Teuteu: The Tongan Material Arts of Fashion Making and of Performance Arts of Fashion Wearing”.
Kenneth's project was part of a wider co-collecting programme named “Pikipikihama kae vaevae manava (Joining our vaka to share our life stories)” devised by Te Papa in partnership with the Tongan Community in Auckland 2017.