Viiki and other Ancient Songs
Tekulupa Malele sings Lautapatapa at wedding of Usoalii and Alovao. Matauimalo Sasa is behind holding Tekulupa. To the right is Fosa Kanipule wearing a titi fakamanumanu. Tekulupa’s parents were Faiana and Tevaimoe - Oct 3, 1974
Viiki - Commemorative Songs
A major type of traditional music in Nanumea in times past was Vii or Viiki, short poetic songs commemorating the deeds of famous ancestors. These Viiki could be sung in several styles, including Fakanau style, Lautapatapa style, and Viiki style. In referring to these songs, people would say “te Vii o ______” or “te mako o ______”.
Often Viiki were performed by elders in household settings where people were gathered for wedding festivities, or for funeral gatherings. They could also be sung during women's group work sessions.
Matauimalo Sasa and other women — Songs and Lautapatapa at wedding of Puava and Puatua
July 3, 1974 - in the morning at the house of Paitela (Malie), gathering for wedding of Puava and Puatua. Matauimalo is main singer heard, but many other women joined in (tape 33A, about 7 minutes)
Other Viiki recordings will be here - once we have edited them
Loto Mafi Women's group - 5 Dec 1973, Nanumea
Mako o Kiti mo Ane, Saveu, Katalake and Levi
and two other songs, Sae Ake te Mata (work song) and Oi Lalo ole Vai Singano - (tape 7A, 14 1/2 minutes)
Sung by Tepou Hoa — at house of Ane mo Kiti, July 2, 1974. Moulogo was a well-known Toa in the period when Nanumea was not yet Christian. He opposed the coming the new Lotu, but eventually gave in and he and his followers converted to Christianity (tape 17B, 3 minutes)
Recorded 11 September 1974 in Nanumaga - Ane mo Kiti were on the Referendum Voting tour to all islands in Tuvalu, and recorded this short song session then. (8 ½ minutes)