Tuvalu Language Week: Task 3 A Beginners Guide

 Tuvalu is a small country with only around 11 thousand inhabitants. There are about 8 islands that are inhabited by civilisation and despite this low population Tuvalu is rich with culture, interesting food and laid back people. It’s very language is similar to other Polynesian countries such as Samoa. In this essay I will give a beginners guide to the beautiful islands that is Tuvalu

Tuvalu, like a lot of Polynesian countries, has a focus on dancing, music and handcrafting. The women wear a traditional distinct dress which are made from pandanus leaf strips which are hand dyed using traditional patterns and unique colours. When feasts are held you can expect to see various different kinds of traditional dances and traditional melodies which are held in a specific place called the Maneapeas (meeting houses). There are all sorts of Maneapeas that are all different and unique. Christianity and religion in general is strong in Tuvalu and on Sundays are a day for relaxing and attending church. You must be careful in what activities you decide to indulge in on Sunday. Women are asked to wear simple and plain clothes in villages and towns. A holiday that is special for Tuvaluan people is Independence day on October 1st. The culture of Tuvalu is interesting and broad. We shall now divulge into the cultural foods that you might see if you are invited to a meeting house or are just eating food in general.

There are many types of interesting food of the Tuvalu culture. Tuvalu food is centred around coconuts and the many types of fish in the many lagoons of Tuvalu. Rice is also another staple in Tuvalu cuisine. Like other Polynesian countries the coconut is used in many different ways such as using the water of the coconut, using coconut milk and even using the flesh of the coconut. One of the traditional dishes in Tuvalu is Pulaka which is called a “swamp crop”. It is a lot like swamp taro except swamp crop has bigger leaves and more bigger roots. Coconut crab, fish from the lagoons and from the ocean, seabirds and pork. Bananas and breadfruit are also stable crops. Pork is eaten on important occasions such as parties and fatelels.  Corn in Tuvalu is usually toxic so it is always cooked in an earth oven. Tuvalu cuisine is filled with many different interesting types of food that are all probably delicious. Now let’s talk about the joyful people who make this delicious cuisine: the Tuvaluans. 

The Tuvaluans are kind and relaxed people who pride themselves on their religion. Although their country is very small and is sadly dwindling away due to climate change despite this fact the Tuvaluans are one of the kindest and joyful people you’ll ever meet. In fact on one recount supposedly every time a Tuvaluan would come to NZ the tuvaluans who are already in NZ all crowd around and welcome the new Tuvaluans with a massive feast. This shows a level of kindness that’s not very common these days. Like any good Christian they treat each other with kindness and despite not being from the same mother or father they are all connected through their beliefs and culture. The Tuvaluans also show optimism and perseverance as despite their country sadly getting more inhabitable little by little as days go by they still are happy and don’t give in to the sad circumstances life has presented them.

In conclusion the Tuvaluans culture blossoms with interesting traditions, scrumptious food and the most relaxed and happy people you’ll ever meet. Remember this beginners guide is just a little introduction to the culture and people of Tuvalu and you can learn so much more about it. With Tuvalu language week coming to end please raise awareness about climate change and the effect it has on Tuvalu and practise any good self sustaining habits that will be able to help not only Tuvalu but the entire Earth.