item details
Overview
At Tongan funerals in New Zealand, all attendees are expected to be dressed in black clothing accompanied with a ta‘ovala putu (funeral waist mat). Since the late 20th century, some families have produced and worn memorial shirts printed with images, proverbs or memorial statements about family members who have passed away.
Significance
In 2011, this hoodie was worn by Meleseini Haitelenisia Fifita 'O Lakepa Lolohea Fetu’u Tuai (aged 3) at the funeral of her beloved grandfather Tēvita Tofavaha Tuai. It is part of a child's outfit that includes an aveave (funeral waist tie), kafa (waist tie) and a ta‘ovala putu.
An image of Tēvita is screen printed on front of the hoodie and on the back 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 song.
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 Te Papa co-collecting programme named "Pikipikihama kae vaevae manava (Joining our vaka to share our life stories)" devised in partnership with members of the Tongan Community in Auckland 2017.