Ta'ovala - Tua style (mat / overskirt)

This is a taovala, it is a type of mat woven from pandanus leaves and worn as an overskirt in Tongan formal wear at special events and ceremonial occasions. This particular taovala is part of a small group of funerary garments, mats and other items associated with the funeral of Tēvita Tofavaha Tuai, who passed away in Auckland, New Zealand in 2011.

Significance

According to Kenneth Tuai, the son of Tevita "…the type of ta'ovala you wear indicates to the wider attendees how you are related to the deceased person and/or family, which could be direct links or via an in-law relationship, friend, work colleague. Non-Tongans will be excused for not wearing a ta'ovala, but for a member of the Tongan community, this could be considered as disrespectful and inappropriate. Though this is generally considered universal, there are many external factors involved, such as religion - Mormons, don't always wear ta'ovala, lack of an appropriate ta'ovala, or personal preference.

A reason for lack of an appropriate ta'ovala is that Tongan women, as cultural material wealth holders are expected to maintain a collection of ta'ovala, ngatu (tapa) and fala (woven mats), for exchange and are expected to have a collection of ta'ovala and kafa (waist mat ties). At times, it may be difficult to access the number of mats required for the family for a funeral…

Directly related family members to the deceased are required to wear large ta'ovala called 'pulou' which literally means 'covering', which should extend from the head to the feet and is used, dirty, sometimes worn-out and sometimes torn. This indicates the closeness of the person to the deceased. To a lesser degree, this a similar type of ta'ovala worn by members of the 'Tua' which are relatives of the deceased persons uncles on his/or mothers side. They are considered the cooks of the funeral and provide food, cooking labour and other tasks considered lower status at the funeral, technically, also (this includes) carrying the funeral casket.

In Tongan culture, everyone in society will technically be a 'tua'. In contrast if you are related to the Father of the deceased, you are known as 'eiki' and considered higher in status at the funeral. Therefore, you will wear a higher quality and aesthetically beautiful ta'ovala to note your relationship and also your role at the funeral."

Acquisition History

Kenneth donated this taovala 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.