Wisdom in the Pacific Way

Walking back through campus after the Saturday market trip, I came across this friend...

We don't rear pigs at PTC - they do at the Methodist College up the road - so it's not a usual encounter. What we can safely assume, I think, is that there'll be pork aplenty at an upcoming feast on Monday when the PTC community welcomes paramount Chiefs and other Pacific elders gathering in Suva for an inaugural conference on Pacific Indigenous Philosophies. Or possibly they'll be gifts? I'll wait to be educated on this one, as on so many other matters. Memories of making official visits to Zambian chiefs in former days when presentations of chickens and other edibles were vital, ceremonial protocols before conversation. Certainly if the conversation was about land. 

Here's the official description of the Conference and a video clip of our Faculty colleague Dr Aiava explaining more.

The Inaugural Pacific Philosophy Conference (IPPC) with the theme: "Vuku ni Pasifika-Wisdom of the Pacific: Indigenous Relational Philosophies of Life", hosted by the Pacific Theological College, Pacific Islands Associations of NGOs, University of the South Pacific, and Fiji National University from 11-14th June, Suva. Bringing together elders and custodians of wisdom from around the region to discuss the relational philosophical underpinnings of life in the Pacific (logo designed by Islands Business and flyer by Shelvin Naidu Eddi

Breakfast at Fiji One

Breakfast at Fiji One. 14K likes. Breakfast@Fiji One is the first show of its kind in Fiji and the Pacific. Watch it LIVE every weekday from 6am to 7am on Fiji One.

It's extremely humbling that I've been asked to lead morning devotions at this on the Wednesday, and in such a setting and among such illustrious company, prayers for a small pinch of English wisdom would be appreciated.

We've celebrated younger wisdom at PTCEE this week as well. We presented Maiarii Pohue from Maohi Nui with a book and certificate for passing her 'Themes in Theology' course: making a particular fuss of her because in doing that she became PTCEE's first student to submit and complete a course ONLINE! 

We wondered who'd be the first. We even have a Pacific student in Texas signed up now. But in fact it was Tahitian Maiairii, currently Fiji based, but we know she's going to be such a wonderful ambassador for PTCEE when she's elsewhere in the world. We loved the last part of her assignment, and share it with you. Links in beautifully with the news about the Pacific philosophy conference because here, Maiarii as a younger person, draws with great love and respect on the indigenous myths and wisdom from her own roots that she's been taught and which she proudly lives and breathes. She's a very inspiring example of a young person who fully embraces her ethnic identity, has a living Christian faith and has the ability to communicate some of that to the present age through online theological education. Here's that sample of her work. The story of the breadfruit tree...

4C - Longer Assignment

a) The mythical story that I have chosen for this assignment is entitled, Ruataata – Te Uru. This story is about the time of famine and drought. At that time, there were no crops that could grow, and therefore, the whole population was affected and many have begun to starve. As a result, people started to die from that terrible season. Then came a time when a man could no longer support seeing his family suffer from hunger. He was so heartbroken when he saw his own family starve to death and didn’t know what to do. After that, he found a solution, but the option he thought of, which will help his family, was a hard decision. In order for his family to be happy again, he had to sacrifice himself. It meant that this man had to give up his life to the gods in order to bring joy and happiness. As a fact, the man was in deep sorrow and cried for help to the gods to save his family and the whole population from starvation. Then, the gods answered him saying that they will help him, but in exchange he will have to give his own life to restore balance and give a fertile land. After their agreements, the man started to transform into a tree, and it was not just any tree, but it was a breadfruit tree. The breadfruit tree gave a new life for the whole community as it bears enough fruit to feed the villagers and his family. Through his sacrifices, people rejoiced again. However, it also brought sorrow into the man’s family who had to live without a husband and a father. But on the other hand, he will always be remembered for his courage and his deep love towards his family and his people. Even though the man was not physically present, the family could see him every day, because the tree remained in their compound.

This is a famous story back home because it’s a story of good moral values and whereby several people made a dance out of the song written for this story. Also, I first heard this song through my little sister, and ever since she told me about that song, we kept on singing that song at home until today. As a fact, someone as to which I do not know the name of, has written a song about this story, but it is more like a sad and an encouraging song too. It is a song which reminds us of his sacrifice he has made through the deep love for his family and the courage he had of sacrificing his life in exchange for the survival of his own village. The lyrics of the song describes and the melody expresses perfectly the man’s feeling during that time. The song that I will talk about expresses sorrow, sadness, compassion, love, courage and determination. As an overall, he felt heartbroken, sad, and courageous at the same time because he felt the need to save not only his family, but also his people from starvation and hunger. In my perspective, this story is a strong one because is teaches us humility, respect, courage, and sacrifices, but not only that, it also teaches that love is a strong weapon which enables us to fight for our loved ones and the strength to face any obstacles or difficulties with our head high. And also, because once you love someone, you will overcome your fears and realise the impossible to be possible.

Here is a link for anyone who is interested in listening the song: 

This is the lyrics of the song: Ruataata-Te Uru.Tahitian song

English translation

I te hoe tau oe
Uatopatateroimata of Ruataata
I roto ite ava itiuapoia tana mautamarii
Teoto noa ra
O Ruataata

Aue, uamauiuitonaaau
No reira, uapupuoia (i) tonatino
E tapaoteuru no te here metua
Tetumu o teora
O Ruataata

During the time of drought
A man called Ruataata was grieving
In the valley, his children cried of hunger
Ruataatafell in deep sorrows

He was heartbroken
That is why he sacrificed himself to save them all
The breadfruit is a symbol of a parent’s love for his children and his people
He is the source of life

b) The first symbol used in this story is drought and famine which symbolises death, starvation, hunger and a world without life. This symbol clearly shows the struggles villagers had to go through without any sign of food crops grown. The second symbol is the man’s sacrifice. This shows the heart of a man who has no limit when it comes to saving its own family. We can also see that this man was willing, with all his heart and soul, to give his life to save and free his family and his people from famine and drought. This truly is an inspiration to me because he would do anything for the one he loves. Also, when we come across difficulties, parents always do their best to comfort, help and save the family, and sometimes parents have to sacrifice for the sake of their children. As a result, we can see that through the strong love of a parent towards his family and also the deep responsibility of a parent towards the family.

Nevertheless, the breadfruit in this story symbolises a new life, a new start for the people to rejoice again. Furthermore, I would like to put into detail the structure of the breadfruit tree in my tradition. Firstly, the leaves of the tree represent the man’s hands. Secondly, the branches of the tree itself are his arms, the roots are his feet and legs. The trunk represents his whole body and at last, the fruit represents the man’s head. As you can see, the gods have perfectly transformed the man into something that will be useful for the village. Therefore, the tree gives food, shelter, and medicines for villagers. Additionally, this mythical story gives us another perspective and understanding to the life that we live in with all its structures.

Lastly, there is also another point I would like to share and that is the name of the man called, Ruataata. This name is a special name which I did not tell the meaning of the name from the beginning of this assignment. But now I will tell you the meaning. Ruataata in TeReoMaohi means, two persons or people. Rua means two and the word Taata means a person. As you can see, the name is divided into two sections which means that Ruataata is one person that transformed into something else. In this case, the man was transformed into a tree which was able to feed the whole village. Therefore, it is one person with two distinct faces and body. Finally, this story is a story that I will cherish and pass it on to my children because it contains great and beautiful meanings behind it and as a Tahitian young woman, I am proud of my culture and my history. 

Congratulations Maiarii!

And another first. First time back in the office since shocking fall and painful surgery. Nisha's presence on Friday made PTC very happy indeed. Not yet on legs, but wheels will do just fine for now. Praying for your speedy, full recovery and all respect to Nurse Nitesh too!