The University of Auckland Fiji and Students Association marked Rotuman Language Week with an evening of cultural celebration, learning, and connection, bringing together students and members of Auckland’s Rotuman community.
Loisi Koyamaisoso and Epeli Ole – who serve as officers for the University of Auckland Fiji and Students Association – said the past week has been an important opportunity for themselves and others to honour and preserve the Rotuman language and traditions.
“We cater to the best interests of Fijian students at the university and at any academic institution,” the pair said.
The University of Auckland Fiji and Students Association officers Loisi Koyamaisoso and Epeli Ole.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
To conclude Rotuman Language Week, the association hosted a ‘fara’ – a traditional Fijian, Rotuman-style celebration that involves food, music and communal gathering.
“Tonight, we are celebrating Rotuman Language Week,” Koyamaisoso said.
“Yesterday was Rotuma Day, and today we’re just ending the week by having a fara with the Rotuman community here in Auckland.”
An array of language workshops, dance, games and food were used to exemplify just how special the culture is.
“We had some pretty cool games,” Koyamaisoso said.
“First game we had was Chinese whisper (using the Rotuman language). We didn’t really have success with that one – we think we ended up with very, very different words from what was originally given to us!”
Attendees participated in a game of “Rotuman Whispers,” an adaption of Chinese Whispers with Rotuman phrases.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
Ole said the fara has been a highlight of the week.
“Not a lot of us know about the fara, but growing up in Fiji, we always heard of the fara and it was pretty humbling. It was a heartwarming experience to be here, and to witness it in real time,” he said.
Ole also highlighted concerns around how the Rotuman language is being preserved and practiced.
“We are so very blessed to learn about another language, another country, especially when Rotuma is a minority,” Ole added.
But he said there are concerns the language is declining, making Pacific Language Weeks across Aotearoa an important part of preserving culture and identity each year.
“By the UN, United Nations, it has been proven that the Rotuman language is slowly dying out,” Ole explained. “For the New Zealand Government to put aside a week in the year for us to recognise the Rotuman language, it’s pretty good.”
Ole said that young Pacific leaders have been showing up and showing out for their cultures, and have a responsibility to continue uplifting smaller island communities and languages.
“As young leaders of tomorrow, it’s a responsibility that we have for us to recognise the Rotuman language, more so the other smaller islands and the languages in the Pacific,” he said.
Koyamaisoso added that keeping the language alive begins with everyday conversations.
“Everything that we’ve learned this week – like some phrases – we should just continue to say, continue to speak in our daily conversations with our friends and family,” she said. “This will be keeping the language alive.”
UAFISA marked Rotuman Language Week with an evening of cultural celebration, learning, and connection.
Photo: RNZ Pacific / Tiana Haxton
