Fenoga He Tofua

My Nana Linnovai Vaipa is the eldest of 8 children to her mother the late Vaipa Tauetau.
She grew up in Mutalau, Niue Island and because she was the eldest child to a single mother - a heavy responsibility fell on her shoulders. 
In 1969, my Nana left Niue island via The Tofua and began a two week journey to Niu Silani.
My nana journeyed here to help her mum give her siblings a better life than the one they had in Niue. 
One day while on the phone with her, I asked her about her boat journey to Niu Silani. She shared how much fun she had visiting all the different islands & how each island would always give baskets of fruit, freshly caught (and cooked) fish and many other food items she had never tried before. 
She loved how her people were all crammed on the deck of the boat (like Niue Sardines) and how lovely it was to sleep under the stars. 
I wanted to tell an untold story of my people & to pay homage to my Matua's (Niue elders) who, like my nana, ventured to Niu Silani to start a new life for their loved ones.
I also wanted to express the excitement and sadness there is when leaving behind your homeland - some of my matua's never got the opportunity to return to Niue before their death. 
This song is a lologo of grief, excitement and adventure. My hope is that the lyrics resonate with all generations.
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​Title:  Fenoga He Tofua
Artist:  Liana
Producer: David Atai
Knowledge Holder(s): Molima Molly Pihigia QSM
Language: Vagahau Niue