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Overview
This is a fue (flywhisk) from Samoa. It is an an item of regalia used by Samoan tulafale (talking chiefs). They are carried by tulafale or high chiefs when they are acting as an orator and presenting lauga (ceremonial speeches). Said to resemble fly switches in appearance, the whisk portion of the fue is made from 'afa (sennit braid). 'Afa is often described as one of the most, if not most important item of material culture in Samoa due to its many uses. 'Afa can be used for fishing, adornment, constructing houses and boats, as part of tattoo instruments, or in this case, featured on objects that are of significance in Samoan ceremonies and customs like oratory.
Construction
This fue consists of a thick tapering wooden handle to which is lashed a whisk made of 'afa. Due to the discolouration on the handle, it is possible that the fue has been used previously by an orator. The whisk itself is half braided and then loose for its remainder.'Afa is the most popular material used in the making of fue but there are examples from the 1920s in the Te Papa Tongarewa Pacific Collection that feature the use of horse hair, exclusively reserved for high chiefs.
Lauga (oratory) in Samoa
In Samoa, lauga is usually presented in two main settings: either indoors within a fale (house) or outdoors on the malae (village green). In the 20th century, there were different conventions for presentation and content in each context. Fue with short tassels were made for use inside a fale, while those with long tassels were made for use outside. An orator using a fue will often make several movements with it before he commences his speech.
Form and content of lauga
Lauga is the strongest and most prestigious of the language arts in Samoa. Through lauga, the production of some of Samoa's great leaders, thinkers, and powerbrokers has occurred. Performances maintain and enact important social and cultural values. On a practical level, lauga present a protocol for proceedings at ceremonial and formal gatherings. Speakers will acknowledge ancestors and remember the past while at the same time dictating and managing the course of events. The style of lauga varies with context, sometimes speakers must stick closely to established protocols, at other times, occasions allow for more informal and competitive expression.