When only your people can nourish
Sunday, 27 July 2008
A few days ago, here at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts, the Chair of the Creative Arts Committee, Tialuga Saloti, told me that the events would have quite an impact on young people in American Samoa. She felt there would be a renewed sense of pride in their Samoan culture after they witnessed young people from other countries in the Pacific showcasing their cultures. It was certainly something I had thought about as, prior to arriving here, I tried to make sense of the American Samoan identity.
What I hadn’t anticipated was how much impact the festival would have on some of the young people I encountered.
The stand out story is that of 16 year old Egi Varo who I met at Tafuna Elementary School where the Papua New Guinea delegation is staying. I had gone there with Tania Nugent to witness the pre-performance rituals of some provincial cultural groups.
Egi lives in American Samoa. He is shy with strangers. But I was told that he can sometimes talk till the cows come home. Members of the Papua New Guinea delegation told me. They should know.
A day or so after the PNG delegation arrived, Egi turned up at the front gate and convinced security to let him in. The he convinced the PNG delegation to let him set up camp, and spend the days and nights with them. I think he’s still there.
Why did Egi do it ?
Because he is half Papua New Guinean and he just wants to be with his Moto people. According to hi Samoan mum, who I met later, he told her he wants to learn all 800 languages of PNG. I found her incredibly understanding and she told me it was important he spent time in the embrace of his people.
And what did his people, the PNG delegation at Tafuna Elementary think? Well, they admit they got a bit worried about him and tried to shoo him away. But he stayed.
Egi is your typical teenager with attitude to boot, especially with foreigners. But if I have ever seen a young man taking in tough love and reciprocating with the respect that’s accorded elders, it has got to be this teenager.
Just before we left, I recorded a greeting in Tok Pisin which Egi wanted to send to his wantoks in Papua New Guinea. He was cheered warmly.
Then someone asked him if he would cry when they left.
I can’t remember the last time I witnessed a teenager with attitude admitting he’s a sook. But tough Egi did, admitting he would cry.
The “ohhh” and sound of a sniffle that came from Tania Nugent’s way said it all.
Your Comments
Stewart Abdul Yareki-Port Moresby , August 4th 2008
Isa, bro bilong husait.
Now I know what it means to be apart from family or people you love so much even only for a split moment in time.
I cried when I read the article. It made my see how hard it is when you are missing out parts in your life and want to fill it in.
Thank you both Clement & Tanya for the heart felt story.
YOU BOTH ROCK>>>
eddie , October 7th 2008
Mi hamamas long taim mi ridim dispela article. I am thankful that I had a good time to be with my people cause I will never know when I will see them again.I still have the scenery of Port Moresby town in my mind.Send my love to all my family in Barakau village, my bubus,my uncles and my aunties. Bamahuta iboumuiai lalokauna. Tubumui Egi Aria Vara.
Bert Hall, St. George, Utah USA , July 31st 2008
Great story, of course he would want to be with his people and learn about them. Its the same for everyone from anywhere. When you go abroad, its only natural that you want to be with others that you feel a kinship with, others that have a commonality with you….great story; and big props to Egi for wanting to be with the PNG wantoks…..Malo Lava Egi!