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Ethnology of Tokelau Islands

Ta Hoe—Songs for Dances Performed with Canoe Paddles

Ta Hoe—Songs for Dances Performed with Canoe Paddles

I
Huo nanaia
Ko te lepu mo kavea
Ko te hoe tua hamania
E tele ki nei
E hapinia eoea (eo ea) iã.

Dipa and waveb (the paddle)
The stirringc (of water) … ?
The paddle with even-grained backd
Sail to heree
Strike the fish running away in fright.

II
Hiahia ai vao
Kou te tu ma kou te noho
Ko holoholo mulia.
Au fakaheka fakatia
Au fakaheka fakatia.

?(Who) rejoices in the bush
I shall stand and I shall sit
I step (or slip) backwards.
?
?

a Paddle is dipped down and held like a shovel.

b Paddle is shaken or waved as a signal before the body.

c Paddle is carried in upright position to right side.

d Paddle is dropped in front of body with tip of blade touching the ground.

e Paddle is lifted upright again and carried across the body as if it were drifting or sailing by.

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III
Utupeepee, utupeepee,
Tangaloa talae fetokai.
E angina ki Fali ma Fana
Kanapa uila fati tili
E numia kai fakatau mai
Ko molia—Taku hoe nei
Apoapo taku hoe i lalo
Na tahea ite ngalutau
Ke mau mai ke mau mai.

Spin the paddle, spin the paddle,
Touch and strike (the paddle of) Tangaloa.
The force of the wind to Fali and Fana
The coming of lightning and thunder
The whirling of water … ?
My paddle here beneath
I dip my paddle beneath (the canoe)
(It was taken by) the flow of the backwash of the wave.
Hold (it) close to the body.

IV
Ko hao ke maua
Aukaub
Kuamaua kuapokiac
Uhiu i te hoena
Ki okutua
Uhiu i te hoena
Ki okuluma
Uhiu i te hoena
Hakapato tia iad

V
Te fili tupua
Te fili momono
Na koe ia
Na koe ia
E ngaulua
E na koe ia
E na koe ia
E na ulua
E na koe ia
Te fili tupua.

a Paddle is twisted in the hands and held upright.

b Paddle is carried to side and held upright.

c Paddle is waved over the head.

d Paddle is touched to the ground in front at the word ia.