Understanding Pacific Island Well-Being Perspectives Through Samoan and Tongan Material Cultural Adaptations and Spatial Behaviour in Auckland and Brisbane
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-id423Keywords:
diaspora, material culture, Pacific Island, Samoan, TonganAbstract
The aim of this paper is to discuss the tangible links that exist between Pacific Island well-being perspectives and their material culture. We can gain a better understanding of Pacific Island well-being perspectives through the analysis of Samoan and Tongan material cultural adaptations and how people interact with these via spatial behaviour, as observed in Auckland and Brisbane. This paper analyses a collection of images that capture evidence of six different types of material cultural adaptations that infer on, and reference spatial behaviours. Preliminary findings have been drawn from a wider-scale research project conducted during 2015–2018, that has explored Pacific Island TransTasman migrants’ perspectives of well-being. This inquiry process has revealed significant links between Pacific Island traditions and adaptations in Pacific diaspora contexts.Downloads
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- Figure 1: Photo of traditional materials used in a baby dedication ceremony in Auckland
- Figure 2: Photo of traditional materials used in Tongan dance costumes in Auckland.
- Figure 3: Photo of traditional materials used in a multicultural Pacific Island church in Brisbane.
- Figure 4: Photo of traditional materials used in a Samoan dance performance in Brisbane.
- Figure 5: Photo of traditional materials used in an academic ceremony in Auckland.
- Figure 6: Photo of traditional materials used in university graduation in Auckland.
- Figure 7: Photo of traditional materials used in a Tongan performance on council grounds in Brisbane.
- Figure 8: Photo of traditional materials used in a Brisbane church using a classroom space.
- Figure 10: Photo of traditional materials used by Tongan village representatives in Auckland.
- Figure 11: Photo of the use of ‘ie toga in entrance foyer of local library in Brisbane.
- Figure 14: Photo of the use of adapted materials in Tongan dance costumes used in a commercialised cultural event in Auckland.
- Figure 15: Photo of the use of adapted materials in preparing taro leaves dish in Brisbane.
- Figure 16: Photo of the use of adapted materials in Tongan dance costumes used in a school cultural event in Brisbane.
- Figure 17: Photo showing transfer of New Zealand-sourced food gifts to Australian diaspora.
- Figure 18: Photo showing the use of florist flowers and plastic lei in Auckland graduation ceremony.
- Figure 19: Photo showing the use of tatau design on a community poster promoting a Pacific Island rugby league event in Brisbane.
- Figure 20: Photo shows the transfer of Australian-bought goods as gifts for New Zealand-based diaspora.
- Figure 21: Photo shows the conversion of a garage into a family meeting space and shared living area in Auckland.
- Figure 22: The conversion of a council sports field into an events space for Samoan cultural celebrations at Auckland's Pasifika event, 2016.
- Figure 24: Photo shows the conversion of a foyer area outside a church building used for a Samoan cultural performance in Brisbane.
- Figure 9: Photo of traditional materials used in artwork sold at an Auckland pop-up stall.
- Figure 12: Photo of the use of ngatu and kie tonga at a Brisbane baby shower.
- Figure 13: Photo of the use of adapted materials in preparation of Tongan foods consumed in Auckland.
- Figure 23: Photo shows the conversion of a garage space into a shared living area in Brisbane.
- Figure 17. Photo of Year 12 graduates from a Brisbane high school at the end of 2018
Published
02-09-2019
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Copyright © in this published form is held by Sites: New Series, Association of Social Anthropologists of Aotearoa New Zealand, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Individual readers and non-profit libraries acting for them, are permitted to print or download a single copy of an article without charge for use in research or teaching. Permitted use includes providing a link to an article, or hosting a PDF article in online Learning Management Systems or E-Reserve Systems for authorised users. A single article may be used in print or online Course Packs. Interlibrary loan is permitted. New Zealand Copyright Law and Copyright Licensing New Zealand Education Licence provisions apply. This consent does not extend to other kinds of copying, such as copying for general distribution, for advertising or promotional purposes, for creating new collective works or for resale. For such uses, written permission is required. Write to the Editor: sites@otago.ac.nzHow to Cite
Understanding Pacific Island Well-Being Perspectives Through Samoan and Tongan Material Cultural Adaptations and Spatial Behaviour in Auckland and Brisbane. (2019). Sites: A Journal of Social Anthropology and Cultural Studies, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.11157/sites-id423
