From the recording Haoloto
I want to thank my Mother for giving me this story a legend from her island of Nukufetau in Tuvalu.
TAUASA
Lyrics & Music - Opetaia Foa'i
Ko tala mai anamua
ko salalau ite fenua
saele ki motu se tagata
tona igoa ko Tauasa
Motulalo te koga avaava
Na matea ai ne ia a tino agaga
Tukutuku atu tona kete
Tafatafa e maua ai te fou
Ni isi fili fou
Ni isi sakasaka
Tino agaga
Sa puli sa galo tou iloga
Ko Salalau i fenua
Toku fenua pele o Nukufetau
Fakamatamata mimita ai au
Tele ai aia kite Maneapa
me ko talatala ne fafine
toe fifili ne latou
tena ko iloa
poto te faiga o te fou
A story from long ago
Known throughout the land
Happened as he was walking
Around the Islet
His name was Tauasa
It was at a passage in Motulalo
That he saw these Spirits
Walking by with his basket
He was able to get a fou
Some were making fou
Some were dancing
These Spirits
Always remember this story
Known throughout the land
My beautiful island of Nukufetau
So proud it makes me so proud
He then ran to the meeting house
Asked the women to unravel the fou
Then they put it back together
That’s how they learnt
The making of the fou
© Spirit of Play Productions/Opetaia Foa'i