Faka-me'a'ofa Planning: Rap or Lakalaka?
A Tongan community group in Auckland is planning a faka-me'a'ofa (fundraising event) to support a local language nest. The event is three weeks away, with a budget of NZ$2,500 and a venue capacity of 150 people. A youth group (ages 13–19) has proposed performing a rap in Lea Faka-Tonga, arguing it will attract younger family members. The komiti (committee) of elders prefers a traditional lakalaka, saying it upholds anga faka-Tonga and is more appropriate for a formal occasion. At the last meeting, voices were raised: youth felt unheard, and elders worried about losing traditions. You are a Year 13 student on the committee. You have been asked to write a one-page letter in Lea Faka-Tonga to the komiti proposing a compromise. The programme is 90 minutes; the rap needs $300 for equipment, and the lakalaka needs $450 for costumes. Both costs fit the budget only if other items are trimmed. Write the letter with a formal, respectful tone.
1. Draft the opening paragraph of your letter in Lea Faka-Tonga (with an English translation) that explains your proposal and justifies it with reference to anga faka-Tonga.
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A possible opening paragraph:
Lea Faka-Tonga: "Mālō e lelei ki he hou'eiki 'o e komiti. 'Oku ou fokotu'u atu ke tau fakangataha 'a e lakalaka mo e rap 'i he polokalama. 'Oku tauhi 'e he lakalaka 'a e anga faka-Tonga, pea 'oku fakalotolahi'i 'e he rap 'a e to'utupu ke nau kau mai. 'Oku 'ikai ke u fie fakasi'isi'i 'a e lakalaka; 'oku ou fie fakalahi 'a e faingamālie ke ako 'a e to'utupu. 'Oku tau ma'u 'a e taimi fe'unga ki he faiva 'e ua. Kataki 'aupito, tau tokanga ki he lelei 'o e kakai kotoa."
English translation: "Greetings to the elders of the committee. I propose that we combine the lakalaka and the rap in the programme. The lakalaka upholds Tongan custom, and the rap encourages youth to participate. I do not wish to diminish the lakalaka; I wish to expand the opportunity for youth to learn. We have enough time for both performances. Please, let us care for the wellbeing of all people."
Reasoning: The paragraph opens with a formal greeting and addresses the komiti as hou'eiki, showing faka'apa'apa. It frames the proposal as fakangataha (combining) rather than replacing the lakalaka, which protects the elders' concern for tradition. It uses inclusive language ('tau', 'kakai kotoa') to avoid a youth-versus-elders framing. The phrase 'oku 'ikai ke u fie fakasi'isi'i' directly acknowledges the elders' value before asking them to include the rap. It also mentions the practical constraint (time for two performances) without turning the letter into a budget argument. The closing 'kataki 'aupito' is an indirect, respectful request that leaves room for the komiti's authority.
2. Explain two language features you would use in the letter to show respect and persuade, giving examples.
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Feature 1: Honorifics and respectful address. I would use 'hou'eiki' for the elders and 'komiti' for the committee, and avoid first-name or casual address. This signals that I recognize their status and the formal context. For persuasion, respect is not decoration: if the elders feel honoured, they are more likely to consider the proposal rather than treat it as a challenge. Example: "Mālō e lelei ki he hou'eiki 'o e komiti" rather than "Mālō e lelei kotoa".
Feature 2: Inclusive pronouns and indirect requests. I would use 'tau' (we, inclusive) instead of 'au' (I) or 'kimoutolu' (you plural), and 'kataki' (please) to soften the request. This makes the proposal a shared problem rather than a demand from a young person. Example: "Ke tau fakangataha" (let us combine) instead of "Ke mou fakangataha" (you should combine). The indirect request 'Kataki 'aupito' also leaves the final decision with the komiti, which is important in a hierarchical context. I would also consider a proverb about cooperation, but only if I were confident it fits the occasion; a forced proverb can sound hollow.
3. If the komiti rejects the rap entirely, what alternative would you propose and how would you maintain harmony?
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I would not repeat the same proposal immediately. Instead, I would propose an alternative that keeps youth involved without placing rap in the formal programme: the youth group could compose and perform a short spoken introduction in Lea Faka-Tonga before the lakalaka, or learn a traditional faikava song and perform it alongside the lakalaka. This respects the komiti's decision while still giving youth a visible role. To maintain harmony, I would accept the decision publicly and graciously, thank the komiti for hearing the youth, and ask whether a youth representative could help with the lakalaka rehearsals. I would also use talanoa after the meeting to understand the elders' specific concerns (e.g., timing, tone, or the style of rap) rather than assuming they reject youth entirely. The reasoning is that faka'apa'apa does not require silence; it requires choosing the right time and manner to raise a concern. By accepting the decision and offering a smaller alternative, I protect the relationship and keep the door open for future collaboration.