Ep. 58: Indigenous Time and Space Part 1 – A Review of the Tā-Vā Theory

This episode dives into some of the background and context that influenced 20th century transformational thinking in critical Oceanic thought. Palofesa I. Futa Helu’s intellectual background is explored including realism and panta rhei. The role of critical education, classics, questions of permanence, and the ‘Atenisi legacy are reflected on as significant in understanding the formation of the Tā-Vā theory by Hūfanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu (Dr. ‘Okustino Māhina), which is an indigenous Tongan philosophical project. Themes include intersections between realism and Tongan views of tempo-spatiality or time-space through various arts and social values. Maui-Tā-Vā-He-Ako (Dr. Tēvita O. Ka‘ili) has expanded access and development of this theory through works that examine relational ethics like tauhi vā and tauhi fonua, while responding to criticisms to account for western influences and distinguish similarities with other theories. Ending with some of the more recent literature on hoa/soa within Tā-Vā theory, this episode sets up part two which will delve into Tā-Vā expansions that connect with global Indigenous analyses of tempo-spatiality and critical theory.   Terms: Tā (beat, tap, rhythm; time-temporality), Vā (point between, relational space, relational connecting point; space-spatiality), Mālie (Bravo! Exclamation of harmony), Faka‘ofo‘ofa (beauty, beautiful), talanoa (talking critically yet harmoniously, relational mindful critical oratory/dialogue, talking story), Fuo (form, shape), Uho (content, core, umbilical cord), Māfana (generated warmth, heat/warm, exhilaration, spiritual phenomena), Vālelei (balance, harmony, positive social relational space/connection), Vākovi/Vātamaki (imbalance, disharmony, negative asymmetrical social space or relation), Tauhi Vā (performance art of socio-spatial relations; maintaining and nurturing social relational space or connection), Tauhi Fonua (performance art of socio-place relations; caring for land, place, heritage), Hoa/Soa (pair, companion, partner, connected-with).   References: Albert L. Refiti, A.-Chr. Engels-Schwarzpaul, Lana Lopesi, Billie Lythberg, Arielle Walker, and Emily Parr. Vā Moana. Australian National University. Albert Wendt. “Towards a new Oceania.” Mana: A South Pacific Journal of Language and Literature. Epeli Hau‘ofa. “Pasts to Remember” in Remembrance of Pacific Pasts edited by Borofsky, University of Hawaii Press. Epeli Hau‘ofa. “Our Sea of Islands” in A New Oceania: Rediscovering Our Sea of Islands edited by Waddell, Naidu, and Hau‘ofa, University of the South Pacific. Hūfanga, ‘Okusitino Māhina: “Ta, Va, and Moana: Temporality, spatiality, and indigeneity." Pacific Studies; “Time, space, and culture: A New tā-vā theory of Moana anthropology.” Pacific Studies; “From Vale (Ignorance) to ‘Ilo (Knowledge) to Poto (Skill) the Tongan theory of Ako (Education): Theorising Old Problems Anew.” AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples. Hūfanga He-Ako-Moe-Lotu Dr. ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, Māui-Tava-He-Ako Dr Tēvita Ka‘ili, and Kolokesa Uafā Māhina-Tuai. Sio FakaTonga ‘ae ‘Aati FakaTonga Faivā, Tufunga & Nimamea‘a FakaTonga - Tongan Views of Tongan Arts Tongan Performance Arts, Material Arts & Fine Arts. Kula-‘Uli Publishing. ‘Inoke Fotu Hu‘akau and Lo‘au Publication Research Team Report. “Chapter 1: Time and Space”, Tā & Vā Conference, Mangere Arts Centre. Maui-Tāvā-He-Ako Tēvita O. Ka‘ili, Hūfanga ‘Ōkusitino Māhina, and Kula-He-Fonua Ping-Ann Addo. “Introduction: Tā-Vā (Time-Space): The Birth of an Indigenous Moana Theory,” Pacific Studies. Pā‘utu-‘O-Vava‘u-Lahi, Adriana M. Lear, Kolokesa U. Māhina-Tuai, Sione L. Vaka,  Maui-TāVā-He-Akó, Tēvita O. Kaʻili, Hūfanga-He-Ako-Moe-Lotu, ‘Ōkusitino Māhina. “Tongan Hoa: Inseparable Yet Indispensable Pairs/Binaries,” Pacific Studies. Siosiua F. P. Lafitani: “Autonomy and Creativity in ‘Epeli Hau ‘ofa and the Lo ‘au University Philosophy of Education for Thinking,” Pacific Studies; “Arts of tattoos, lashing, house and boat buildings: Māhina’s Moanan theory of ta and va (time and space).” National Museum of Australia (16 June 2009); The Contemplative Pathway for Humanity: Moanan-Tongan “Vavanga.” Teaiwa, Teresia. "On analogies: Rethinking the Pacific in a global context." The Contemporary Pacific. Tēvita O. Ka‘ili: “Tavani Intertwining Ta and Va in Tongan Reality and philology.” Pacific Studies Journal; Marking indigeneity: The Tongan art of sociospatial relations. University of Arizona Press.