Cultural customs are rites of passage and reminders of connections to home
From traditional tapa cloth to the Maori haka, families and friends celebrate graduating students with pride, appreciation, love, and cultural richness, according to three graduates. They shared the significance of these unique traditions and their profound impact as they mark an important milestone.
The Tongan Koloa
Pasepa Fakatava, a senior from Tonga majoring in TESOL education, explained koloa, handmade tapa cloth or mat from tangatu or mulberry tree bark, is presented to graduates as a sign of respect. With traditional intricate designs, koloa is often expensive as it takes a long time to make, she said. “The designs [in koloa] tell a story, mostly the family lineage,” Fakatava continued. The tapa cloth usually takes two to four weeks or more to make depending on the size and details, she said.“The finer the mat the longer it takes to make,” she added.
She emphasized making the tapa cloth is a collaborative effort as it involves the whole family. “If you come from a traditional family, they will be the one making the tapa cloth and even ask some members of their extended family,” said Fakatava.
Fakatava explained presenting the tapa cloth, known as the ceremony of koloa, is a meaningful Tongan tradition where families honor the graduate. She said walking carelessly on or by the koloa is disrespectful, “like walking in someone else’s house with shoes on.”
During the ceremony, she explained, presenting a lei to the graduate standing on a tapa cloth requires removing shoes to show respect. She added the ceremony reminds graduates of their responsibilities ahead. “It is a way of letting the graduate know that it is time for him or her to give back to the family and community,” Fakatava said.
Fakatava emphasized graduation is not the end but another beginning for her. “If I were to receive a koloa, I would feel supported,” Fakatava said. “We may feel self-centered… but if we look back on the journey, you are not the only person there. So do not forget the people who help you get where you are and remember to give back to them,” she said.
The Hawaiian Hula
Teija Crawford, a senior majoring in health and human science with a biomedical emphasis from Hauula, said hula is sacred during graduation because it is a part of their culture that was taken away for a long time. “We are in the process of trying to regain that [ownership] again,” said Crawford. Presenting na lei (plural for lei) and doing a hula dance in Hawaii represents not only the culture but honor, achievement, pride and love.
Crawford explained the meanings of the many lei received and hula danced during graduation are a celebration of a family. “It is all about family... It’s not just me getting a degree. There’s so many people who put their hard work into it,” she said. “Seeing they’re happy makes me happy and [knowing] they are there to support me, that I am not alone in this situation,” she said, also strengthens her.
In Hawaiian culture, she said leis are given to mark all significant milestones, from a baby’s first birthday to college graduation. “There are different kinds of lei, from candy to money, which are my personal favorites,” she added.
The Maori Haka
In contrast to giving gifts, indigenous people from New Zealand known as Maori celebrate different milestones through a performance called haka, according to Hinekura Kingi.
Kingi, a senior from New Zealand majoring in health and human science with a biomedical emphasis, said, “Haka is part of our culture... It means showing appreciation and giving culture back to the graduating [students],” she explained. Anyone can do haka that knows it, she added. “You can do it to your friends who are graduating, but it is mainly for people in the culture,” Kingi continued.
During a haka performance, the leader carries the essence of the presentation, said Kingi. “They give the mana or the spirit to everybody around and to those they are performing it for,” she explained. Kingi said haka has been created by their ancestors, indigenous people from New Zealand. “It is to show their unity to each other,” Kingi emphasized. Kingi said people can tell the difference of haka by the way it feels. “It is the chill that you feel when you are watching a scary movie,” she said.
For Kingi, haka has a significant impact on the graduate, especially a Maori from New Zealand. She said it gives them a sense of home while they are far away from home, providing uplifting feelings and a sense of progress to move forward.
Although she doesn’t enjoy being in the spotlight, she said performing the haka brings her a sense of pride in doing something meaningful for those far from home. “Whenever I jump in to do the haka for the graduates from New Zealand, I feel the impact myself … because I am going to be in their shoes [one day] and I’m proud to be part of them,” Kingi explained.
Haka shouldn’t be altered as they are specific to each tribe, she said, though some allow word changes for personalization. “To make it truly meaningful, it’s best to perform the haka of one’s own tribe,” she explained.