Recorded May 29, 1974 and Aug 14, 1974 at Kalipa's house (12 minutes long)

In this selection Kalipa sings some Viiki in different styles, to demonstrate how they differ. In order, the Viiki are:

Viiki of Taukave [father of Kalipa]
Viiki of Nikotemo [father of Kalipa's husband Niko]
Viiki of Nikotemo again, but with 3 futaga/verses
Viiki of Maluuluu [mua] done first in Lautapatapa style and then in Viiki style
Fakanau of Faga [father of Heiloa]
Fakanau of Tangaliki [Kalipa's father's mother's mother]
Fakanau of Hoa [father of Tepou]
Fakanau of Matakea [Hepikia's father's father]
Fananau of Hogivalu [Elika's father]
Fakanau of well known person, but Kalipa forgot the name
Fakanau of Malaki [Pae's first husband's father's father]

This 9 1/2 minute recording was made in Nanumea on the morning of 21 December, 1973 at the house of Hipa and Male in Haumaefa i Tai. The occasion was the celebration of the wedding of Tiligana and Lofale. People are gathered in the house supporting Tiligana. There have been faatele, viiki, and speeches.

Here we hear Kalipa, and joining her is Pulaka -- they are the oldest women here. There are 7 Viiki in all, in this order:
Paalipa, Kaitu & Paauku, Faga, Laukava, Tagaliki, Teemai, and last, Teakaka.

Toward the end of the tape Kalipa and Pulaka join voices and sing some of the songs over again as duets.

Notes to these Viiki - this information is from Kalipa:
Paalipa died tragically as a young woman in Nanumea in the 1800s (she is on Genealogy sheet 5, line +1). Song was composed by famous composer Laua before Kalipa was born. See more about Paalipa in next note.

Kaitu and Paauku This viiki was also composed by Laua before Kalipa was born (before 1896). Kaitu and Paauku were a married couple. Kaitu's brother was Pokia, whose daughter was Paalipa. The song recalls fondly how Paalipa used to come in the evening to say goodnight to Kaitu and Pauuku, who would hogi and send her home to her husband Toia. She was a favored fugao.

Laukava This viiki was composed by Laua in the late 1800s. Laukava, father of Tefaiva, was one of the most famous fishermen (along with Hogivalu) in Nanumea. This song celebrates his skill in Atu fishing, hihi atu.

Teakaka Composed by Laua in the late 1800s. This song commemorates the heroism of the Toa (warrior) Teakaka when the Toa Moulogo was setting Kalihi adrift in a canoe to die, and Teakaka wanted to go help Kalihi, his tuaatina, but was talked out of it as he would surely die too. There is more to this story and we will try to publish it on this site in future.

Note about the Viiki of Tagaliki

We estimate that Tagaliki was born about 1830. Kalipa explained that this Fakanau was composed by famous composer Laua before Kalipa was born.
Tagaliki, married to Teemai, used to go out to fish in the ocean in her canoe, alone [It was very unusual for a woman at that time]. All the young men would follow her to sea, attracted by her beauty and wishing to make love to her. This Vii is about Tagaliki and her reputation for independence. The words are:

O motou mea ni fulu katoa
E mailoga toku fulu mai muli.
E sulu i loto i toka mauli.
Fano ai e pula fia e tino.
Vaki mai ke oti oku luma.
Luma mai ke oti au vaki.
Tena e lavea te fenua.

Kalipa Taukave and her husband Niko Nikotemo - at home in Nanumea — November 13, 1973

Kalipa Taukave and husband Niko Nikotemo at home, Nanumea, 13 Nov 1973