Latest news with #KiribatiLanguageWeek
Scoop
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Kiribati Language Week: Celebrating Culture Amid Rising Seas Back Home
Kam na bane ni mauri, greetings everyone, it's Kiribati Language Week in Aotearoa, marking five years since the celebration began. This year's theme is: "Living our valued cultural practices through love and respect upholds our dignity and fosters growth for a successful future." Events are taking place across the country, and on Wednesday in South Auckland, Westfield Manukau Mall came alive with cultural performances and flower-making workshops led by the Te Onikabwebwe Women's Club, offering a hands-on Kiribati experience to the public. One group member Kauanga Ioera said many people still mispronounce the name of her country, "a lot of people say 'Kiri-bah-tee', but it's 'Kiri-bas'. We pronounce our 't' and 'i' as 'c'," she explained. Whenever she introduces herself and say where she's from, she also has to explain where Kiribati is. "Every time we mention, oh, we're from Kiribati, [people say] oh, where's that? So they don't really know where Kiribati is. "Kiribati is a small island, three hours away from Fiji, we are Micronesians." Many of the community in Auckland have travelled to Wellington for this year's celebrations. "We're preparing right now for our Kiribati independence all the way in Wellington, and we're just feeling the Kiribati spirit, like, and we want to share with everyone here our Kiribati spirit and culture," Ioera said. Performer James Tonganibeia, who danced before hundreds at Westfield Manukau Mall, wore a traditional rope made from ancestral hair. "So the ropes that we use to tie our mats are the hairs of our elders, and these hair carry us in our dance. "While we're carrying their hair, we're also carrying them in our dance, it just helps us give us more energy and it's really important for us to carry it with us." Tonganibeia said. The Centre for Pacific Languages works with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to support language retention through classes, resources, and community funding. Centre for Pacific Languages chief executive Fesaitu Solomone said just 50 percent of New Zealand's Kiribati community (over 3000 people) can speak the language, according to past census data. She highlights the importance of the next generation learning the language of their Pacific heritage. "I've always encouraged our young people. This message is to if you want to learn the language, don't be shy, be proud of your identity, speak the language, because that's where we're going to retain our language and culture, and the revitalisation of languages starts with you as an individual. "I believe with the aspirations as a community, they've put it in the action plan that they want more people. They want the language to start from home as well content resources to help them." Solomone said. Events to celebrate Kiribati Language Week will continue until Saturday, with major celebrations led by I-Kiribati communities in Auckland, Dunedin, and Wellington.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Kiribati Language Week: Celebrating culture amid rising seas back home
Kam na bane ni mauri, greetings everyone, it's Kiribati Language Week in Aotearoa, marking five years since the celebration began. This year's theme is: "Living our valued cultural practices through love and respect upholds our dignity and fosters growth for a successful future." Events are taking place across the country, and on Wednesday in South Auckland, Westfield Manukau Mall came alive with cultural performances and flower-making workshops led by the Te Onikabwebwe Women's Club, offering a hands-on Kiribati experience to the public. One group member Kauanga Ioera said many people still mispronounce the name of her country, "a lot of people say 'Kiri-bah-tee', but it's 'Kiri-bas'. We pronounce our 't' and 'i' as 'c'," she explained. Whenever she introduces herself and say where she's from, she also has to explain where Kiribati is. "Every time we mention, oh, we're from Kiribati, [people say] oh, where's that? So they don't really know where Kiribati is. "Kiribati is a small island, three hours away from Fiji, we are Micronesians." Smiles for Kauanga Ioera and her son at Manukau Mall showcasing their Kiribati culture. Photo: Nick Munro Many of the community in Auckland have travelled to Wellington for this year's celebrations. "We're preparing right now for our Kiribati independence all the way in Wellington, and we're just feeling the Kiribati spirit, like, and we want to share with everyone here our Kiribati spirit and culture," Ioera said. Performer James Tonganibeia, who danced before hundreds at Westfield Manukau Mall, wore a traditional rope made from ancestral hair. "So the ropes that we use to tie our mats are the hairs of our elders, and these hair carry us in our dance. James Tonganibeia taking pride in his cultural attire during Kiribati Language Week celebrations showcasing his culture at Manukau Mall. Photo: Nick Munro "While we're carrying their hair, we're also carrying them in our dance, it just helps us give us more energy and it's really important for us to carry it with us." Tonganibeia said. The Centre for Pacific Languages works with the Ministry for Pacific Peoples to support language retention through classes, resources, and community funding. Centre for Pacific Languages chief executive Fesaitu Solomone said just 50 percent of New Zealand's Kiribati community (over 3000 people) can speak the language, according to past census data. She highlights the importance of the next generation learning the language of their Pacific heritage. "I've always encouraged our young people. This message is to if you want to learn the language, don't be shy, be proud of your identity, speak the language, because that's where we're going to retain our language and culture, and the revitalisation of languages starts with you as an individual. "I believe with the aspirations as a community, they've put it in the action plan that they want more people. They want the language to start from home as well content resources to help them." Solomone said. CEO for Centre for Pacific Languages Fesaitu Solomone Photo: Nick Munro Events to celebrate Kiribati Language Week will continue until Saturday, with major celebrations led by I-Kiribati communities in Auckland, Dunedin, and Wellington.
RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Aotearoa's i-Kiribati community honours language and culture
Photo: MPP Thousands of i-Kiribati people across Aotearoa New Zealand are celebrating their rich language and culture during Kiribati Language Week, which is now in its fifth year. The celebrations kicked off on Sunday in Wellington at Pataka Art and Museum, with community members joining together, including officials from the Ministry for Pacific Peoples, the New Zealand Kiribati National Council - Maneaban Te I Tungaru Society, and the Tuvalu government. This year's theme encourages everyone to embrace and respect their cultural practices, highlighting how this fosters dignity and a brighter future: Maiuakinan te katei ri nanon te tangira ma te ikarinerine bon wantongan te mwenga ibukin te rikirake. Kiribati, an island nation located about 4700 kilometres north of New Zealand, has a population of 130,000 residents. In New Zealand, there are nearly 4000 people of Kiribati descent. At the launch event, Tuvalu's High Commissioner to New Zealand, Feue Tipu, shared heartfelt memories of his childhood in Kiribati. He was honoured to participate in the celebration. He urged i-Kiribati to keep their cultural identities alive, especially in a new environment where it's easy to lose touch with one's roots. He encouraged parents to instil pride in their heritage and to help their children learn the Kiribati language and culture. He says the event is a reminder not only of personal histories but also of the collective responsibility to nurture their cultural legacy. "I grew up in Kiribati when I was young. I went to Tarawa to attend secondary school for five years, and then I went to Fiji for a scholarship. In Kiribati, I started working with Fijians," he says. "I learned a lot from them. I need to pay my respects to these old people who have navigated life and work. I thank you, too, for being courageous enough to host this event." He says this year's theme aligns with Kiribati's valued cultural practices, emphasising their love and respect, which uphold their dignity and foster growth for a prosperous future. "I know this is an event that the government of New Zealand thought would be useful for us as New Zealanders. The reason is that we are starting to lose our cultural heritage. Even within my own family, my kids speak English. "So, I try to make sure that the kids speak up. And now, the family recognises itself; they have participated in many activities in Fiji, but it's our duty as parents to have that pride in us. To recognise where we come from and where our identity lies. "Even standing in front of you, I can connect with Kiribati. Not only was I brought up in Kiribati, but I also have ancestors from Kiribati. I had three deans who connected with Kiribati." Tipu says he was not going to miss Sunday's special occasion. "Thank you very much for the invitation. I had to be here. I felt I had to be back here to celebrate your legacy because we take pride in reconnecting with our past. Photo: MPP "I know that growing up in New Zealand, the environment here is such that we quickly lose our identity and our language. So, thank you. "We've been listening to the whole community tonight, and we've been amazed at how we are here and teaching people to speak and learn their language and culture." After the launch, a combined service was held, and various activities were organised to engage the community. Highlights included a 'word of the day', recorded songs, discussions about spirituality, and storytelling sessions exploring Kiribati's history before and after the arrival of Christianity in the Pacific nation. As part of the week-long celebrations, the i-Kiribati community will also commemorate their independence on 12 July, marking 46 years since gaining self-rule from the United Kingdom. Here's a look at some of the planned events for the week: Meanwhile, this week also offers a chance for the i-Kiribati community and others to celebrate and share their heritage with pride. A language, culture, and knowledge display will be held at Te Herenga Mātauranga Whānui General Library, Auckland University. A small collection of books and photographs will be showcased. The display will be held from 7-13 July in the Pacific Space on Level One of the library. Kiribati Language Week ends on 12 July. Kiribati is the third Pacific Language Week celebrated in 2025, following Sāmoa and Rotuma. Next is Vanuatu Bislama, which is launching for the first time and will be celebrated from 27 July to 2 August. Photo: MPP -This article was first published by PMN .
