Ep. 39: Fahu (A Chiefly Relative) with Dorothy Savieti

This episode features post graduate student Dorothy Savieti who
has been interested in and researching fahu (chiefly sister,
aunt, relative, etc.) within Tongan culture and society. She
shares an introduction to thinking about this significant
identity and role within family clans that are commonly known for
their ceremonial position and function in life events. We discuss
how there are a variety of perspectives and understandings
throughout time, as well as ongoing changes occurring, while
highlighting some of the debates over defining fahu in our
contemporary context. Fahu remain significant despite various
views and Dorothy’s early stages of research reveals complexity
and additional considerations to continue to explore. She
concludes with some summarising thoughts and reflections on
different sources to consider when researching culture.


Terms: Mehekitanga (fathers sister – paternal auntie); ‘Ilamutu
(brother’s term for his sisters children who are genealogically
superior in chiefly rank as nieces/nephews); Fakafotu (we didn’t
use this term in the podcast, but it is the sisters term for her
brothers children who are genealogically inferior in chiefly rank
as nieces/nephews); Fahuloa/Lohuloa (paternal grandfather's
sister, one’s father's mehekitanga, paternal great auntie); Koloa
(treasures made by women like tapa – fine mats); ‘Eiki (Chief/ly,
high ranking person); ‘Eikiness (Tongan English vernacular for
chiefliness/chief/chiefly, high ranking); Tu‘a (Peripheral or
lower ranking, associated with being younger in rank,
contemporarily often interpreted through classed conflations with
rank with terms like ‘commoner’); Liongi (lower ranking relation
in a particular context); Ta'ovala (waist mat of which there are
different kinds that have different meanings).


Note: In Tonga(n) cultural phenomena someone may be in a chiefly
or higher ranking position where they receive gifts, tributes,
and are served in one context - while in a different context may
find themselves in a non or less chiefly role that makes
offerings, tributes, and is in service to other chiefs or higher
ranking positions. Chiefly rank is important, but its
manifestation is often dependent upon contextually specific
relationships in particular moments.