Abstract:
This creative-led study explores the representation of Tongan masculinity from an indigenous perspective. The study has two aims; firstly, to reflect on the experiences of the Tongan community across a wide age range of perspectives, including elders and the voices of young people. Secondly, to capture the cultural and emotional resonance of Tongan thoughts and ideas within the contemporary moment as well as understand how these cultural understandings might also be understood to be historically constructed.
The study uses Talanoa as a method of investigation and data collection. Talanoa is a Tongan term meaning to talk or converse with someone about a specific topic or issue. Talanoa is primarily conducted face to face with another individual, or as a group. Using this method, I seek to translate talanoa into artworks that consider the Tongan world view of masculinity.
It is evident there is a lack of research on indigenous perspectives of Tongan ideals of masculinity. This research is a previously untapped source, looking into indigenous studies of Tongan men through a contemporary artistic view. The creative works synthesise a combination of faiva faka-Tonga (Tongan performance practices) through a range of media which includes film, performance art, photography, sound design, and extensive post-production experimentation to understand Tongan masculinity.
What is created in this project is intended to make a conceptual contribution to the Tongan culture consistent with the concept of foaki ‘ofa (giving). This project is a gift back to the Tongan community, as well as academia. “Anga’i Tangata faka-Tonga” seeks to better understand and highlight the perspectives of indigenous Tongans in the hopes of appreciating and improving the classification of gender roles within the Tongan community and future generations.