Fangufangu (nose flute)

Tongan fangufangu (nose flutes) are beautifully crafted musical instruments. Historically, they were used to awaken the Tongan royalty from their sleep. Made from bamboo, they have intact nodes at each end, forming a sealed cylinder. However, they also document important moments in Tonga’s history.

Documenting history

Te Papa has three fangufangu dating from the 1800s. Etched on each fangufangu are images, words and names that tell us a story. Translated with the kind help of Tongan staff member Lute Langi, it was discovered that this fangufangu has several motifs written in the Tongan language including ko e fonu (this is a turtle), ko e fai (this is a sting ray) and moa ta’ane (rooster). There is also an image of a woman named ‘Malia’ and a picture of a ‘Manuao Falanise’ or French ship. The artist has possibly recorded the introduction of Catholicism to Tonga by French Marist brothers during the 1850s.Malia perhaps references Mary the mother of Jesus.

Original source: Safua Akeli (2012) Documenting history on Tongan fangufangu https://blog.tepapa.govt.nz/2012/09/07/documenting-history-on-tongan-fangufangu/

For more on Tonga fangufangu see:

Mahina, ‘Okusitino 1984 Observations of a Tongan Nose-flute (fangufangu). Records of the Auckland Institute and Museum 21 (1): 33-36.