Tui Emma Gillies (left front) and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows (right front) with Tui's daughter Aroha (middle front) with Tongan Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuhu'aho and Princess Latufuipeka, at the Ngatu workshop. Photo: Matangi Tonga.
Tui Emma Gillies (left front) and Sulieti Fieme’a Burrows (right front) with Tui's daughter Aroha (middle front) with Tongan Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho, Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuhu'aho and Princess Latufuipeka, at the Ngatu workshop. Photo: Matangi Tonga.
Two New Zealand artists have answered a call from the Tongan Queen to help take the Pacific nation’s tapa cloth to the world - and in doing so create a revenue stream for women living in the Kingdom’s villages.
Large pieces of decorated bark cloth, or ngatu, are traditionally givenas gifts at weddings, funerals and other celebrations in Tonga.
They’re items Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho has a lot of passion for; including believing Tongan women could generate an income from decorating ngatu.
Last month, almost 100 women from 20 villages on the main island of Tongatapu attended, with ngatu practitioners from each of the villages took part in a two-week ngatu workshop.
New Zealand-based mother-and-daughter ngatu makers Suileti Fieme’a Burrows and Tui Emma Gillies were invited by the Tongan Queen to attend; hosting workshops, sharing their expertise, and experiences of taking ngatu to the world with locals.
“We were honoured and privileged to be involved. We think this mission is imperative to the future of Tonga and the Pacific.
Aroha Gillies with the Her Majesty Queen Nanasipau'u of Tonga. Photo / Supplied
“In a world where almost anything can be designed by artificial intelligence, the flip side is that there is a deep longing and nostalgic yearning for objects that are authentic and nothing can be more authentic than ngatu: grown in the earth, harvested by hand, made by hand, and decorated by hand, all guided by traditions thousands of years old.”
Gillies said she had been “truly honoured” to be able to work alongside her mother and daughter at the workshop.
She said Burrows, who is aged 74, represents “one of the last traditional tapa makers of her generation”.
“And I recognise the importance of the knowledge, traditions, and skills passed down from her.”
Locals work on their creations during the two-week workshop in Tonga. Photo / Supplied
She said it had been a special time to share it with her Aroha.
“It’s essential to continue sharing this heritage with future generations and others within the Pacific diaspora, helping them reconnect with their roots. Through the arts, we can express and showcase our Tongan culture, highlighting its richness and significance.”
‘The Queen of the People’
The Tongan Queen has made no secret of her passion to keep alive her country’s heritage and arts.
She wants to see more high-quality ngatu produced in Tonga, and for local producers and artists to decorate their own cloth.
Queen Nanasipau’u Tuku’aho hopes ngatu can be utilised by Tongan women.
She told the workshop making ngatu using local materials had multiple positives.
It would ensure it lasted longer and also have a greater value.
The Tongan royal also told the workshop it was a great way for the women of Tongan villages to generate an income via the sale of products to tourists.
Gillies said the group was also told if the ngatu plan worked then “people all around the world will be reminded of Tonga every time they look at it”.
“After spending time with Her Majesty, I refer to her as the Queen of the People, a compassionate leader dedicated to supporting the wellbeing of the people of Tonga.”
Gillies and Burrows have been talking to the Queen about returning for another workshop in the future.
She said the future looked positive.
A landowner in one village is providing space for villagers to plant a new crop of hiapo, or paper mulberry trees, to grow the bark needed to make ngatu.
The Tongan women learning the old art of ngatu. Photo / Supplied
And another village has applied for funding to take what they’ve learned from Gillies and her mum to create their own workshops where knowledge can be passed on.
Burrows said passing on the traditional skills will ensure ngatu is enjoyed by future generations.
“We need to remind the world that ngatu belongs to Tonga. That’s our koloa, our treasure. Not anybody can come in and help themselves,” Burrows said.
The Last Kai recently sold in Australia for $85,000. Photo / Supplied
Burrows and Gillies have twice been to Madrid to view and sketch Malaspina’s Carpet, the world’s oldest intact ngatu, in the Museo de America.
Tongan scholars believe the ngatu originated in Vava’u in the late 1700s.
Meanwhile two thought-provoking works were recently sold on commission to the National Gallery of Victoria - one the five-metre long Pasifika version of The Last Supper, entitled The Last Kai, with women - not the disciples - wearing Covid-19 masks while sitting around the table.
Joseph Los’e is an award winning journalist and joined NZME in 2022 as Kaupapa Māori Editor. Los’e was a chief reporter, news director at the Sunday News newspaper covering crime, justice and sport. He was also editor of the NZ Truth and before joining NZME worked for urban Māori organisation Whānau Waipareira.
