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EveryParampara

Traditions of Funafuti

The atoll capital of Tuvalu, where the fatele dance is the heart of every island celebration.

Funafuti is the main atoll of Tuvalu, one of the smallest countries in the world. The nation of about 11,000 people shares a strong sense of community, and each island has its own meeting hall, fale. Fatele, a dance of songs, drums and clapping, is the national performance.

Funafuti: On main road, Funafuti looking south.
Photo: Davidarfonjones, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Fatele

In a fatele, two groups of singers and dancers perform in turn, with a wooden box drum, and the audience throws small gifts or money. It marks church events, Independence Day on 1 October and weddings. Women weave mats and fans from pandanus.

At the table

Pulaka, a giant swamp taro grown in pits, is the staple, eaten with fish, coconut and breadfruit. Feasts use pork and fish baked in an umu. Coconut crab, fish and sweet cakes are served at community events, and the Sunday meal follows church.

Signature traditions of Funafuti

FateleThe Tuvaluan dance.Music of TuvaluSongs and dances of the nine islands.

Also part of it, and being written: Pulaka (Giant swamp taro.), Taro (The root crop at the base of the Pacific island table.).

A trail idea for Funafuti

  1. Funafuti Conservation Area Look at the lagoon.
  2. Fatele hall Join an evening of dance.
  3. Airstrip at sunset A local gathering place.
About this page

Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.

KindSpiritualFestivalRite of passageTable customSeasonalDressPerformanceEtiquetteCraftGameFolkloreHomeCeremony
MealBreakfastLunchDinnerSupperTea-time and snacking customsTea, coffee and drinking ceremoniesSweets given and sharedFeasts and festival mealsFasting and breaking the fast

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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