item details
Overview
This is an aveave (funeral waist tie) for a child. It is worn as part of Tongan formal wear to secure in place taovala (mats /overskirt). It is also part of small group of Tongan funerary garments, mats and other items associated with the funeral of Tēvita Tofavaha Tuai, who passed away in Auckland, New Zealand in 2011.
According to Kenneth Tuai who is the son of Tevita, this aveave was worn by his daughter Meleseini at his father’s funeral. She was 3 years old at the time and typical of Tongan funerals, all attendees were expected to wear the appropriate black clothing and accompanying ta'ovala (overskirt).
Acquisition History
Kenneth donated this aveave as part of his role as Cultural Advisor - Fashion Curator for his co-collecting project titled "Tufunga Teuteu, Faiva Teuteu: The Tongan Material Arts of Fashion Making and of Performance Arts of Fashion Wearing".
This 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.
Kenneth is of Tongan descent with links to Houma, 'Eua and Navutoka in Tongatapu, ‘Ata and Falevai in Vava'u, Tonga. Kenneth grew up in Otahuhu, Auckland where lives with his wife and two daughters.