Children gathered at a South Auckland community hub on Wednesday night, singing songs and learning basic Rotuman words and phrases as part of this week's Rotuman language celebrations.
Kids getting amongst the Rotuman Language Week celebrations. Photo: RNZ / Anric Margraff Sitanilei
From the alphabet to numbers and colours, those ranging in pre-school to high school ages participated in a children's day singing programme hosted by an Auckland Rotuman community group.
Here's what some of the children involved had to say:
"I'm more Fijian [than Rotuman] so it's a new culture I've learnt ... I love the dances and the new people I've met." - Bese Curu
"We get an opportunity to perform and speak Rotuman. Before I didn't know much of Rotuman but then I got more confident and started speaking more." - Braylan Camaibau
The Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group Inc hosted a Children's Singing programme in South Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Anric Margraff Sitanilei
"I really am proud to be Rotuman. I love the culture and I speak Rotuman at home with my mum." - Gabrielle Naidu
"[I love] seeing my cousins and the bond and seeing my grandparents ... I'm full Rotuman. I'd rather learn it before my parents and my family pass away so I can pass it on to my kids and they'll learn it and pass it on to their kids." - Gedalya Parker
"It's been really fun for me to learn my culture. It's a unique language and only a few people get to experience it. Happy Rotuman Language Week!" - Fuipeneisi Vaurasi
Left to right: Gedalya Parker, Bese Curu, Braylan Camaibau, Gabriella Naidu and Fuipeneisi Vaurasi. Photo: RNZ / Mabel Muller
In Census 2018, only 981 people identified as Rotuman in Aotearoa, majority English speakers with fewer than a quarter, being able to speak two languages.
Last year was the first time the Rotuman language was formally recognised and endorsed by the New Zealand government through its Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Photo: RNZ / Anric Margraff Sitanilei
It has motivated the Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group Inc (ARFGI) to put tireless and unpaid efforts into ensuring the language is passed on to the next generation of mostly NZ-born Rotumans.
"It's been an exciting week for everyone ... all the adults, family and friends. But the kids have been very excited about this leading up to it. It's absolutely great and exciting to have them involved," ARFGI chairperson Rachel Mario said.
"Our language is an endangered language… the kids need to know the language because once they know the language it grants them, it's their identity.
"It's very important, it's vital to their survival in Aotearoa."
Auckland Rotuman Fellowship Group Inc chairperson Rachel Mario. Photo: RNZ / Mabel Muller
The community's efforts did not end at its language week celebrations. Mario said the ARFGI has been running Rotuman language classes once a week for children aged between five and 18 for the past two years.
"We're very fortunate to have our elderly who are the custodians of the language, they help teach the language. It's been a journey but we're getting there.
Emeli Mateiwai and her grandkids at the ARFGI Children's programme. Photo: RNZ / Mabel Muller
Rotuman Language Week will run until Saturday 15 May.
"Happy Rotuman language week to everyone we hope that you enjoy our Rotuman language week."
Mothers dressed in Rotuman attire: (left to right) Josie Parker, Victoria Molia and Ray Camaibau. Photo: RNZ / Mabel Muller
