Tala Kkai are tales told for enjoyment, often in darkened houses after an evening meal, while children and adults recline and relax for the evening. These are well-known by Nanumeans and some are known throughout Tuvalu. Hearing them again and again is part of their charm. Different tellers add their own dramatic and vocal touches, adding depth and enjoyment.

These recordings were made on cassette tapes, and have been digitized by us. We are gradually posting selections as we complete them -- check back from time to time to see what is new.

Sakana Pinoka
Sakana has a very animated and natural way of telling stories - you can imagine the dim light of a bottle lamp, everyone lying around and enjoying her stories.

Sakana was born in 1931 in Nanumaga; her father was Maea of Nanumaga, her mother Haalotu of Nanumea. Sakanaa married Pinoka in Nanumea in 1956 and except for a period of some years in Nauru with her husband, lived her whole life in Nanumea. Sakana and Pinoka had six children: Anuanu, Teoti, Vaopua, Pulaka [Tilita], Teputi and Tapauli. They lived in Lolua i loto in 1973-74 and also in 1984. Sakana lives today (May 2020) in Nanumea with her daughter, Pulaka. and family. In the family picture here, Pulaka is the little girl at the left sitting in Pinoka's lap.

Te Tala o Fogafogailoata
Recorded 29 April, 1974 (15 minutes 40 seconds)

Inosia Valo
Inosia was a gifted storyteller, well known in Nanumea for her pleasing telling of folk tales, Tala 'Kai.

Inosia was the daughter of Valo and Neke and was born in Nanumea about 1898, just a few years after Britain made the Ellice Islands a protectorate. She died in Nanumea in 1982, some 84 years old. Inosia married Selulo about 1916 during World War I. They did not have any children of their own, but adopted Selulo Jr. Later, Inosia adopted and raised Selulo's son, Lotoalofa -- he lived with Inosia when we recorded stories from her in 1973 and 1974. Inosia's household and photo in our 1973 Family Photos was household number 3.

Te Puhi mo te Kapa Masi
Recorded Sept 4, 1973 (7 minutes 36 seconds)

Other folktale tellers to come:

Ane

Fiapule

Fuaalia

Iakopo

Kamo

Male

Nele

Selupele

Telea

Vae

Venu

Use of these Recordings: Nanumeans may download and use our recordings for personal use. Use for commercial or other purposes is prohibited without prior written permission. Audio Recordings Copyright ©Keith and Anne Chambers, 1973-2020, all rights reserved.