Kainga Kotoa 'o Tonga

Kainga Kotoa 'o Tonga (Tonga around the Globe) was written for the 2010 "Carols by the Sea" Concert held in Nuku'alofa, The Kingdom of Tonga on Saturday 11th December 2010. The piece was written to portray, through spoken word, recorded sound, live music, dancing and audio-visual projections, the essence of Tonga in the 21st Century - a modern South Pacific monarchy, with a population who, no matter where they are in the world, will always remain fiercely proud of Tonga, and keep their home country close in the their hearts and minds.


The piece is based around the poem by the poet and nimatapu (Family line of Royal Undertakers) Ma'um'atãpule titled "Speak to the Hearts of all Tongan's". (Translation below)

The vocal harmonies, signifying the great Christian choral tradition in Tonga are infused with western, contemporary harmonies, to signify the multicultural nature of Tonga's people. The trumpet section, borrowing from the Tongan National Anthem, and with the performers live on stage, is a celebration of that which makes Tonga what it is today, the monarchy.


The final rhythmic section is a celebration of the old and the new, represented though dance. The live performance featured a visual "battle" between contemporary dance and traditional Tongan dance, before the two groups of dancers come together as one. This signifies the vibrant, creative and ever-present Youth culture in Tonga, the future of Tonga in the 21st Century.


Speak to the hearts of all Tongans

I long for my voice to be heard throughout Tonga.

You and I are still riding the tranquil wave of the sacred shore.

Let us not slacken or relinquish this precious heritage

but let us hold fast to it, for it is our grand display

of sweet smelling flowers, to waft abroad

throughout Tonga, at all times.

We give thanks, our spiritual heritage is represented

by the four golden waistbands,

to fix and preserve among Tongans,

our harmony and love and our Christianity.

Oh, the blessing of blessings,

we still inhabit a land rich in peacefulness and quiet.

What is it that would ever cause us to challenge each other,

to wrangle and fight, using cleverness with a hard shell?

Let us use wisdom with a soft shell,

so we can journey steadfastly in a safe and secure land.

This will be like a rich display of many flowers,

whose beauty and sweetness will extend to countries abroad,

in the Pacific and in Europe.

And they will admire our sense of duty,

our unity and our being bound together with one sennit rope.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• carols
• globe
• international
• tonga
• Kainga
• Kotoa
• 'o
• Tonga

[Secelini]

This is absolutely beautiful... Visual, spoken and musical poetry... Wonderful symbolism with the contemporary and traditional dancing coming to dance together... I love Tonga..

[08kemitc]

do u have the tongan words for the poem???

[indi023]

i love polynesian in my life.. i love you all

[leanna253]

Was lucky enough to see this live, the video and live visuals were breathtaking! The poem was beautiful and an incredible production mixing a traditional piece with modern performance. Spectacular!!!

[Swan81119]

This is so moving. The music and video woven in and around the poetry is truly beautiful. Would loved to have seen it performed live with the dancing.

[vaipato]

pretty boring vid. the description was more interesting then the video itself. i was disappointed.