Do you know who the happiest people are? I do! They are Samoans from Samoa. Today I want to talk to you about the happy Samoan people and their rich culture.
Samoans are known as the "happy people" because of their enjoyment of life and their good-spirited nature.
Samoan and English are the spoken languages in Samoa. The Samoan language is very similar to Hawaiian, Tongan, Tahitian and Maori languages with many words having similar meanings.
Savaii is the largest island in Samoa, and Apia is the capital which is located on the island of Upolu. Both islands are covered in forests and are surrounded by coral reefs. Samoa is a naturally beautiful place. American Samoa, is the neighbour of Samoa and shares the same culture and history.
Dance and music are an important part of the Samoan culture. If you visit any of the villages you will be able to watch the “fiafia” which is a dance done by the people. You can also watch a “siva” which is a local dance and is popular in Samoa.
Another interesting part of the Samoan culture is the tattoos. Samoans regard tattoos as very important and most Samoans have some type of Tattoo. Most of the tattoos have a religious meaning.
Samoans also really like to cook and drink their traditional foods. The food is cooked in an “umu” which is an oven in the ground. “Kava” or “Ava” is a drink made from the pepper plants and the roots are used to make the drink.
Family is very important in the Samoan culture, in the New Year Samoans decorate their homes with flowers and coloured paper and give each other gifts.
The Samoan culture is diverse and also unites the people they share it with.
I hope you learned something more about the “The Happy Samoans”
By Veronica L
Wednesday 18 May 2011
Ma’ulu’ulu dance - My Speech
Kia ora,Talofa, Malolelei and greetings to you all.
Who knows what the Ma’ulu’ulu dance is?
I am going to talk to you all about the Ma’ulu’ulu dance in Tonga which unites all people through their dance and music.
The Ma’ulu’ulu is a traditional Tongan dance, performed by a group of seated men and women. The dance form is from the ancient Tonga ‘Otuhaka having been put together with the Samoan Ma’ulu’ulu dance form.
The performers of the dance sit down in a row on the ground, cross legged, usually the right leg over the left. If possible men and women alternate. To the left/or right /are the nafa, Nafa is the drums. But the Tanafa are the ones who do the drumming. Behind them stand the langituʻa, the singers. On formal occasions, like a presentation to the king, the dance master also stands in the back.
If there are many dancers,at a really huge occasion, they sit in rows spread out. The dancers of the front row sit on the ground. The second row on a low bench, the next row on a higher bench, And so forth. The last row usually stands, or if that is still not enough, they may stand on benches and tables. If the dance is an effort of a local community, young and old perform. The youngest children then cutely sit at the ends of the rows.
So in Tonga people come together to sing and dance. They are all united in this art form of music and dance. Different people in Tonga may dance and sing slightly differently yet they are all united despite their diversity. Well this is one example of “Unity in Diversity”
Dance away and live in peace and harmony is what I say to all people.
By Howard
Who knows what the Ma’ulu’ulu dance is?
I am going to talk to you all about the Ma’ulu’ulu dance in Tonga which unites all people through their dance and music.
The Ma’ulu’ulu is a traditional Tongan dance, performed by a group of seated men and women. The dance form is from the ancient Tonga ‘Otuhaka having been put together with the Samoan Ma’ulu’ulu dance form.
The performers of the dance sit down in a row on the ground, cross legged, usually the right leg over the left. If possible men and women alternate. To the left/or right /are the nafa, Nafa is the drums. But the Tanafa are the ones who do the drumming. Behind them stand the langituʻa, the singers. On formal occasions, like a presentation to the king, the dance master also stands in the back.
If there are many dancers,at a really huge occasion, they sit in rows spread out. The dancers of the front row sit on the ground. The second row on a low bench, the next row on a higher bench, And so forth. The last row usually stands, or if that is still not enough, they may stand on benches and tables. If the dance is an effort of a local community, young and old perform. The youngest children then cutely sit at the ends of the rows.
So in Tonga people come together to sing and dance. They are all united in this art form of music and dance. Different people in Tonga may dance and sing slightly differently yet they are all united despite their diversity. Well this is one example of “Unity in Diversity”
Dance away and live in peace and harmony is what I say to all people.
By Howard
Unity in Diversity - My Speech
Kia ora everyone.
Raise your hands if you are a proud New Zealander.
We are proud of our country and its peoples. New Zealand is the most peaceful country in the world today. Do you wonder why? Well, let me tell you why.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a beautiful South Pacific country. Most parts of the country enjoy lots of sunshine and rainfall and the weather is always changing but not the people and the cultures.
As we know, New Zealand culture now has many other cultures mainly from the Pacific Islands, East Asia and South Asia. European and Māori remain the two largest cultures, but the Polynesian culture is also very large with many Polynesian people calling New Zealand home.
The culture of New Zealand is unique because of the Maori, the English, the European, the Asian and the Polynesian cultures, customs and traditions.
The Māori culture is a big part of New Zealand’s history. Once the Maori people settled in NZ, they established separate tribes, built villages (Pā), hunted, fished, traded, developed agriculture, arts and weaponry.
The English people introduced the Maori to many new things like religion, technology, and the English language. In 1840 Māori leaders signed the Treaty of Waitangi, to enable the tribes to live peacefully with the English people. Inspite of some problems, the Māori culture has regained much of its lost language and culture. In the late 20th century the Treaty of Waitangi became part of the school curriculum and this helped to promote understanding, peace and harmony between Māori, Pākehā and the other people who live in NZ.
New Zealand has two special days, Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day, and it also celebrates holidays and other cultural festivals and celebrations. The national anthem, "God Defend New Zealand” is often sung with both Māori and English verses. Many citizens prefer to just call themselves New Zealanders or Kiwis. This shows that we are united as a nation of different peoples. We do have unity in diversity.
We are very lucky that New Zealand has unique and different cultures. We have our Maori culture but we also get to learn about other cultures of people that live here too. Having different cultures in New Zealand helps us understand each other and helps us live as one people, all different but all united. This is Unity in Diversity.
By Micheal
Raise your hands if you are a proud New Zealander.
We are proud of our country and its peoples. New Zealand is the most peaceful country in the world today. Do you wonder why? Well, let me tell you why.
Aotearoa New Zealand is a beautiful South Pacific country. Most parts of the country enjoy lots of sunshine and rainfall and the weather is always changing but not the people and the cultures.
As we know, New Zealand culture now has many other cultures mainly from the Pacific Islands, East Asia and South Asia. European and Māori remain the two largest cultures, but the Polynesian culture is also very large with many Polynesian people calling New Zealand home.
The culture of New Zealand is unique because of the Maori, the English, the European, the Asian and the Polynesian cultures, customs and traditions.
The Māori culture is a big part of New Zealand’s history. Once the Maori people settled in NZ, they established separate tribes, built villages (Pā), hunted, fished, traded, developed agriculture, arts and weaponry.
The English people introduced the Maori to many new things like religion, technology, and the English language. In 1840 Māori leaders signed the Treaty of Waitangi, to enable the tribes to live peacefully with the English people. Inspite of some problems, the Māori culture has regained much of its lost language and culture. In the late 20th century the Treaty of Waitangi became part of the school curriculum and this helped to promote understanding, peace and harmony between Māori, Pākehā and the other people who live in NZ.
New Zealand has two special days, Waitangi Day and ANZAC Day, and it also celebrates holidays and other cultural festivals and celebrations. The national anthem, "God Defend New Zealand” is often sung with both Māori and English verses. Many citizens prefer to just call themselves New Zealanders or Kiwis. This shows that we are united as a nation of different peoples. We do have unity in diversity.
We are very lucky that New Zealand has unique and different cultures. We have our Maori culture but we also get to learn about other cultures of people that live here too. Having different cultures in New Zealand helps us understand each other and helps us live as one people, all different but all united. This is Unity in Diversity.
By Micheal
United through Dance and Music - My Speech
We the students at Tamaki Intermediate are from different Countries, different cultures and we speak different languages. Yet we are all united in this diversity.
Even though we are different peoples we live together in NZ in peace and harmony.
What brings us together? Learning together, eating together and singing and dancing together makes us have unity in diversity.
Today I would like to tell you something about the Cook Islands Song and Dance which is very much at the heart of the culture of the Cook Islands. The dances of the Cook Islands are renowned throughout Polynesia for their expression and sensuality.
The gifts of music, song and dance play a large part in the culture of the Cook Islands and native children begin to dance as soon as they can walk. Each of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands has its own special dances. Each island has a slightly different dancing technique which makes their performances unique. Even through all this the people of the Cook Islands are united through dance and song.
In general, the women dance with a swaying hip movement that slowly goes from side to side. They dance with flat feet which is hard to do while swaying the hips - and the shoulders should be kept absolutely still. In fact, girls and young women are judged on how still they keep their shoulders while dancing - the stiller they are, the better dancers they are considered to be.
The men meanwhile dance with slightly bent knees, which they knock together in time with the drum beat. They also have a grinding movement and overall, their dance is very jerky when compared to the smooth swaying of the hips of the women. The two dances are completely opposite but when they are performed together they produce a dance which is simply described as spellbinding.
Despite not being as well known as the Hawaiian hula and the Tahitian Tamure. The dancers wear traditional costumes, comprising skirts, which are worn by both men and women, made from cotton material or bark cloth covered with grass, long green leaves and dried bark strips. These are often adorned with shells, seeds, bright leaves and colourful flowers.
The headdresses are made from bright flowers and are very ornamental. They are easily the most prominent part of the costume, and the men regularly have feathers attached for added height. The costumes can take months to make, however once made they can last for years.
Cook Island dancing is always accompanied by music and, on most occasions, there are singers as well. The singers tell traditional tales in the native language, while the drummers and other musicians accompany them with a rhythmic beating of their drums.
The Cook Islanders are united through their music and dance like people in other cultures are.
By Tu-Uaati
Even though we are different peoples we live together in NZ in peace and harmony.
What brings us together? Learning together, eating together and singing and dancing together makes us have unity in diversity.
Today I would like to tell you something about the Cook Islands Song and Dance which is very much at the heart of the culture of the Cook Islands. The dances of the Cook Islands are renowned throughout Polynesia for their expression and sensuality.
The gifts of music, song and dance play a large part in the culture of the Cook Islands and native children begin to dance as soon as they can walk. Each of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands has its own special dances. Each island has a slightly different dancing technique which makes their performances unique. Even through all this the people of the Cook Islands are united through dance and song.
In general, the women dance with a swaying hip movement that slowly goes from side to side. They dance with flat feet which is hard to do while swaying the hips - and the shoulders should be kept absolutely still. In fact, girls and young women are judged on how still they keep their shoulders while dancing - the stiller they are, the better dancers they are considered to be.
The men meanwhile dance with slightly bent knees, which they knock together in time with the drum beat. They also have a grinding movement and overall, their dance is very jerky when compared to the smooth swaying of the hips of the women. The two dances are completely opposite but when they are performed together they produce a dance which is simply described as spellbinding.
Despite not being as well known as the Hawaiian hula and the Tahitian Tamure. The dancers wear traditional costumes, comprising skirts, which are worn by both men and women, made from cotton material or bark cloth covered with grass, long green leaves and dried bark strips. These are often adorned with shells, seeds, bright leaves and colourful flowers.
The headdresses are made from bright flowers and are very ornamental. They are easily the most prominent part of the costume, and the men regularly have feathers attached for added height. The costumes can take months to make, however once made they can last for years.
Cook Island dancing is always accompanied by music and, on most occasions, there are singers as well. The singers tell traditional tales in the native language, while the drummers and other musicians accompany them with a rhythmic beating of their drums.
The Cook Islanders are united through their music and dance like people in other cultures are.
By Tu-Uaati
My Speech about Moko
Would you ever get a Moko? If you have ever thought of getting one, maybe you should know some information first. Let me tell you what I know.
The Moko is like an identity card, or passport. In the old days, for men, the Moko showed their rank or their status, having the Moko meant that the wearer had power and could be recognized. It would be a great insult if the person was not recognized as the chief he was, and this could lead to "utu" or revenge.
My nan has a Moko, it is a small one on her chin. If you have a Moko on your face or chin, you are not allowed to smoke or drink, I think that this is good.
Mokos are made by using a range of tools like a chisel made out of bone and the ink is made from burnt timbers. Mokos used to be very painful to get this way, but now we have electric tattoo guns that do not hurt so much.
Mokos are tattoos and many cultures have traditional tattoos. Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, Niueans, Cook Islanders and Hawaiians have tattoos. Tattoos represents many stories and traditions of each and every culture.
Even though the Moko is a Maori tattoo, many cultures all over the world use Tattoos for different reasons.
We are all different cultures but we are all together and united. Mokos are symbols that could bring people of the same cultures together.
By Joshua
The Moko is like an identity card, or passport. In the old days, for men, the Moko showed their rank or their status, having the Moko meant that the wearer had power and could be recognized. It would be a great insult if the person was not recognized as the chief he was, and this could lead to "utu" or revenge.
My nan has a Moko, it is a small one on her chin. If you have a Moko on your face or chin, you are not allowed to smoke or drink, I think that this is good.
Mokos are made by using a range of tools like a chisel made out of bone and the ink is made from burnt timbers. Mokos used to be very painful to get this way, but now we have electric tattoo guns that do not hurt so much.
Mokos are tattoos and many cultures have traditional tattoos. Samoans, Tongans, Fijians, Niueans, Cook Islanders and Hawaiians have tattoos. Tattoos represents many stories and traditions of each and every culture.
Even though the Moko is a Maori tattoo, many cultures all over the world use Tattoos for different reasons.
We are all different cultures but we are all together and united. Mokos are symbols that could bring people of the same cultures together.
By Joshua
The Indian Festival Raksha Bandhan - My Speech
You have heard about Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, But have your heard about Brothers’ and Sisters’ Day?
Well, in India Brothers’ and Sisters’ Day is celebrated in the month of August, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated at full moon in August. For this special day Indian sisters make delicious sweets.
On the day itself, they give the sweets to their brothers and tie colourful bracelets called rakhis around their brothers’ right wrists. The rakhis are meant to make sure that the brothers will be healthy, happy, rich, and successful. In return, the brothers often give presents to their sisters and promise to protect them from danger.
Rakhis are made from colourful cotton or silk threads and are decorated with artificial flowers, shiny beads or tiny pompoms. Each rakhi is different. Some are simple and others are very fancy.
The sisters prepare an Indian sweet called barfi for their brothers the day before the festival.
First they make syrup with sugar and water. Then they add milk powder to the syrup and stir the mixture. Then, melted butter is added and the mixture is cooked for a while. When everything has been stirred together, the mixture is poured into a tray. In the morning the barfi is cut into diamond shapes.
On the day, the barfi, rakhis, and red powder are placed on a tray. Each sister blesses her brother by placing a small red dot in the centre of his forehead. The rakhi is tied to the brother’s right wrist. A slice of barfi is offered to the brother. The sister greets the brother saying “Happy Raksha Bandhan”. The brother then offers a gift to his sister.
In India it is a National holiday and all brothers and sisters unite and celebrate this happy day.
All cultures have special days of celebration, even though they may be different, they are similar in many ways. We can all be united through celebrating with each other. Unity in Diversity I guess!
By Jimmy
Well, in India Brothers’ and Sisters’ Day is celebrated in the month of August, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated at full moon in August. For this special day Indian sisters make delicious sweets.
On the day itself, they give the sweets to their brothers and tie colourful bracelets called rakhis around their brothers’ right wrists. The rakhis are meant to make sure that the brothers will be healthy, happy, rich, and successful. In return, the brothers often give presents to their sisters and promise to protect them from danger.
Rakhis are made from colourful cotton or silk threads and are decorated with artificial flowers, shiny beads or tiny pompoms. Each rakhi is different. Some are simple and others are very fancy.
The sisters prepare an Indian sweet called barfi for their brothers the day before the festival.
First they make syrup with sugar and water. Then they add milk powder to the syrup and stir the mixture. Then, melted butter is added and the mixture is cooked for a while. When everything has been stirred together, the mixture is poured into a tray. In the morning the barfi is cut into diamond shapes.
On the day, the barfi, rakhis, and red powder are placed on a tray. Each sister blesses her brother by placing a small red dot in the centre of his forehead. The rakhi is tied to the brother’s right wrist. A slice of barfi is offered to the brother. The sister greets the brother saying “Happy Raksha Bandhan”. The brother then offers a gift to his sister.
In India it is a National holiday and all brothers and sisters unite and celebrate this happy day.
All cultures have special days of celebration, even though they may be different, they are similar in many ways. We can all be united through celebrating with each other. Unity in Diversity I guess!
By Jimmy
Wednesday 11 May 2011
Mother's Day Letter
Dear Mrs. Baker
I am Melvin from Room 12. I am writing this letter to say my aunty Repecca is the best aunty in the world because she always buys me treats and whatever I ask for. If I wake up late and cannot make my sandwiches for lunch in the morning, she is always there to make them for me and my cousins. The most important thing is that she loves me very much and she takes care of me. She deserves to win the Mother’s Day prize.
My aunty Repecca is the best and that is why I nominate her for the prize. So please Mrs. Baker, please choose my beautiful and lovely aunty to win the Mother’s Day prize.
Yours sincerely
Melvin
Room 12
I am Melvin from Room 12. I am writing this letter to say my aunty Repecca is the best aunty in the world because she always buys me treats and whatever I ask for. If I wake up late and cannot make my sandwiches for lunch in the morning, she is always there to make them for me and my cousins. The most important thing is that she loves me very much and she takes care of me. She deserves to win the Mother’s Day prize.
My aunty Repecca is the best and that is why I nominate her for the prize. So please Mrs. Baker, please choose my beautiful and lovely aunty to win the Mother’s Day prize.
Yours sincerely
Melvin
Room 12
Mother's Day Letter
Dear Mrs. Baker
My name is Maria. I’m writing to let you know that my Nan is the best Nan because she takes care of my family and me. She always takes us to where ever we want to go. When my brother and sisters get sick she always make sure we get better straight away. And, when my family is unhappy she always makes sure that we are the happiest family.
I think my Nan deserves this prize because she’s loving and caring and she is the best Nana ever.
Yours sincerely
Maria
Room12
My name is Maria. I’m writing to let you know that my Nan is the best Nan because she takes care of my family and me. She always takes us to where ever we want to go. When my brother and sisters get sick she always make sure we get better straight away. And, when my family is unhappy she always makes sure that we are the happiest family.
I think my Nan deserves this prize because she’s loving and caring and she is the best Nana ever.
Yours sincerely
Maria
Room12
Mother's Day Letter
Dear Mrs B
I think my Mother should win the prize because she is extraordinary and I ADORE her and LOVE her SO MUCH. I would breathe my last breath for her. She has to take care of 13 children and I feel sorry for her. She has to do the shopping, the cooking, the feeding and the cleaning while my Dad goes to work. When he comes home and sleeps because he is very tired, Mum does all the work at home.
PLEASE! Mrs Baker PLEASE! I want my mum to have the best Mother’s day ever. So please choose her to win the prize.
Yours sincerely
Howard
Room 12
I think my Mother should win the prize because she is extraordinary and I ADORE her and LOVE her SO MUCH. I would breathe my last breath for her. She has to take care of 13 children and I feel sorry for her. She has to do the shopping, the cooking, the feeding and the cleaning while my Dad goes to work. When he comes home and sleeps because he is very tired, Mum does all the work at home.
PLEASE! Mrs Baker PLEASE! I want my mum to have the best Mother’s day ever. So please choose her to win the prize.
Yours sincerely
Howard
Room 12
Mother's day letter
Dear Mrs B
My Mum is the best Mum in the world because she does everything for the family. She does the washing, the cooking and she also irons our clothes too. Sometimes she doesn’t have time to go to sleep.
My Mum should get the prize because she is a mother that everybody would want to have.
Yours sincerely
Elizabeth
Room 12
My Mum is the best Mum in the world because she does everything for the family. She does the washing, the cooking and she also irons our clothes too. Sometimes she doesn’t have time to go to sleep.
My Mum should get the prize because she is a mother that everybody would want to have.
Yours sincerely
Elizabeth
Room 12
Mother's Day Letter
Dear Mrs. B
I think my nana deserves the Mother’s Day gift because she is the most caring nana in the world. Whenever I’m naughty and do not listen to her she forgives me and forgets about it or gives me a growl. From the time I was born, she has been taking care of me and my family. She always makes sure that I have lunch and always asks me if I have any homework to do and helps me with my school work.
I think she deserves this prize because she is honest and caring, is always happy and loves her grand children very much. Please give her the honour of getting this Mother’s Day gift.
Yours sincerely
Alyson
Room 12
I think my nana deserves the Mother’s Day gift because she is the most caring nana in the world. Whenever I’m naughty and do not listen to her she forgives me and forgets about it or gives me a growl. From the time I was born, she has been taking care of me and my family. She always makes sure that I have lunch and always asks me if I have any homework to do and helps me with my school work.
I think she deserves this prize because she is honest and caring, is always happy and loves her grand children very much. Please give her the honour of getting this Mother’s Day gift.
Yours sincerely
Alyson
Room 12
Tuesday 10 May 2011
A Different and Challenging Term 1 at Tamaki Intermediate!
What a busy yet lovely term I had at Tamaki Intermediate!
First memory and reflection I am going to write about is our swimming carnival we had last month. We had two groups called “Sharkies” and “Nemos.” I was in Sharkies. Our house Leaders and Captains asked us whether we would freestyle or backstroke. I decided to choose backstroke. When the groups finished deciding, the year 7’s had to go in front of the pool. First it was freestyle then backstroke. I came 2nd in the first race and in the next race I came 1st. I was very happy and proud of myself. We had a great time.
For the year 7 girl’s softball tournament, we went in a white van with Mrs. Takarei. Shamine, Aluat, and I went to play 5 schools. I was a sub. We won 3 games and lost 2. We had a big smile on our faces when we came back to school. The next morning we heard great news we came 2nd in the whole of Auckland! That was the best I have ever played!
Learning at Tamaki Intermediate is very good. I love learning to read and write, I love solving maths problems. I enjoyed term 1 and am looking forward to Term 2.
By Norbegun Room 12
On the 10th of March 2011, the Year 7 students of Tamaki Intermediate visited the Museum of Transport and Technology. A wonderful lady called Elaine showed us around and answered our questions. We went because it was to help us with our learning about ‘Kiwiana’ of our Amazing Aotearoa. After she answered our questions my class got spit up into 2 groups. I went with my cool teacher Mrs Andrews. My group saw lots of these old fashioned clothes and transport. As we looked around and walked past the different things about our beautiful country, we saw lots of signs that said DO NOT TOUCH.
We had a wonderful time learning about New Zealand. Term 1 was busy yet excellent because we learned a lot in this short time.
By Alyson Room 12
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