‘It’s part of our culture’: Being fa’afafine in Hawke’s Bay

Re: News

7 Sept 202304:09

Summary

TLDRThe video script revolves around the fa'afafine community in Hawke's Bay, a group that was non-existent in the past but has now found a comforting space through the formation of Teine o le Apu. The group, consisting of local fa'afafine individuals, aims to provide support and a sense of belonging. The script also highlights the cultural significance of fa'afafine in Samoan culture, where they are a visible and integral part of society. It showcases the community's growth, from a lack of representation to organizing events like the Manioro, which received an overwhelmingly positive response, indicating a desire for more visibility and celebration of their identity.

Takeaways

🌍 The script discusses the experiences of fa'afafine individuals, a third gender identity in Samoan culture, who did not have a community in Hawke's Bay when they were growing up.
🏡 The term 'fa'afafine' is explained as a cultural identity in Samoa, where every family has one, and it is a respected part of their society.
🎭 The community in Hawke's Bay has grown to include a fa'afafine group called 'Teine o le Apu', which was started a year ago to provide a comfort zone for local fa'afafine.
🍏 The name 'Teine o le Apu' is significant, as 'Teine' means girl or woman and 'Apu' refers to apples, symbolizing the connection to Hawke's Bay, known for its apples.
💄 The script includes a personal narrative of a fa'afafine individual who moved from Melbourne to Hawke's Bay and found a supportive community there.
🏫 The individual expresses a desire to complete a Bachelors of Nursing, showing aspirations beyond traditional gender roles.
🎉 The community organized a successful 'Manioro' event, which was the first Rainbow show in Hawke's Bay, indicating a growing acceptance and celebration of diversity.
👏 The event received overwhelming support from the Pasifika community, demonstrating a positive shift in societal attitudes towards fa'afafine individuals.
👧 The younger generation of fa'afafine is inspired by the visibility and freedom of expression of older fa'afafine, reflecting a positive impact on identity formation.
💬 The script also touches on the challenges faced by fa'afafine individuals, such as the fear of bullying and the need to find acceptance and community support.

Q & A

What does the term 'fa'afafine' refer to in the context of the transcript?
-In the context of the transcript, 'fa'afafine' refers to a Samoan term for a third gender person who is assigned male at birth but identifies and lives as a woman or a feminine person.
Why did the speaker feel scared about moving back to Hawke's Bay?
-The speaker was scared to move back to Hawke's Bay because they were afraid of being bullied, as they had not been as 'womanly' when living in Melbourne and were concerned about the reception they would receive in their hometown.
What is the significance of the name 'Teine o le Apu' for the group mentioned in the transcript?
-The name 'Teine o le Apu' signifies a group of fa'afafine individuals living in Hawke's Bay. 'Teine' means women or girls, and 'Apu' refers to apples, which is a nod to the majority of seasonal workers in Hastings being from Samoa and the association of the region with apples.
What was the first event organized by the Teine o le Apu group, and how was it received?
-The first event organized by the Teine o le Apu group was the Manioro, which was the first Rainbow show in Hawke's Bay. It was met with a full house and overwhelming support from the Pasifika community, leaving the organizers speechless and planning for a longer showcase in the future.
How does the fa'afafine culture manifest in Samoan society according to the speaker?
-In Samoan society, as described by the speaker, every family has a fa'afafine, and they are an integral part of the culture. They are visible in various social events, chapels, and functions, and their presence is a common and accepted aspect of Samoan life.
What was the speaker's childhood realization about their identity?
-The speaker realized they were a fa'afafine at around the age of five, which is a significant aspect of their personal identity.
What is the speaker's educational goal mentioned in the transcript?
-The speaker's educational goal is to complete a Bachelors of Nursing, which they express as a way to look after people when they get old.
How did the speaker's approach to makeup change after moving to Hawke's Bay?
-After moving to Hawke's Bay, the speaker came out more and adopted a more 'womanly' appearance, which included doing their makeup, unlike when they were living in Melbourne.
What was the feedback received after the Manioro event, and what is the group's response to it?
-The feedback received after the Manioro event was that people wished it was longer. In response, the group is planning a longer showcase to cater to the community's enthusiasm.
What does the speaker imply about the younger generation's reaction to seeing older fa'afafine individuals?
-The speaker implies that the younger generation is excited and inspired by seeing older fa'afafine individuals who live freely and authentically, which brings back memories from the speaker's own childhood and the influence of the older generation on them.
What was the makeup product mentioned by the speaker that they had to work with back in Samoa?
-The makeup product mentioned by the speaker that they had to work with back in Samoa was 'Thin Lizzy', which they had to let set into their skin.

Outlines

00:00

🌈 Emergence of a Fa'afafine Community in Hawke's Bay

The script introduces a community of fa'afafine individuals in Hawke's Bay, a place where such a community did not exist in the past. The fa'afafine, a Samoan term for a third gender identity, are embraced in Samoan culture and are often seen in social events and chapels. The speaker, who identifies as fa'afafine, recounts their childhood in Samoa and their initial reluctance to move to Hawke's Bay due to fear of bullying. However, they were pleasantly surprised to find a supportive community upon arrival. The group 'Teine o le Apu' was formed to provide a safe and comfortable space for local fa'afafine. The term 'Teine' refers to women or girls, and 'Apu' is a playful reference to apples, a nod to the region's seasonal workers from Samoa. The script also mentions a successful Rainbow show, indicating the community's growing visibility and acceptance.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡fa’afafine

The term 'fa’afafine' refers to a Samoan concept that encompasses individuals who are assigned male at birth but who identify and live as feminine. It is a significant part of Samoan culture and is recognized as a third gender. In the video, the presence and acceptance of fa’afafine in Samoan society are highlighted, showing how they are integrated into community life and events. The script mentions that every Samoan family has a fa’afafine, indicating their cultural importance.

💡Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay is a region in New Zealand where the video's narrative is set. It's significant in the script as it represents a place where the fa’afafine community is growing and finding acceptance. The video discusses the experiences of fa’afafine individuals in Hawke's Bay, including their fears and the unexpected support they find in the community.

💡Teine o le Apu

Teine o le Apu is a group mentioned in the script, which translates to 'Girls of the Apples.' It is a local group of fa’afafine in Hawke's Bay, established to provide a safe and comfortable space for them. The group's name cleverly combines the Samoan term for 'girls' with a reference to apples, which are a major agricultural product in the region, symbolizing the integration of Samoan culture into the local community.

💡Manioro

Manioro is a term used in the script to refer to an event that took place earlier in the year, which was the first Rainbow show in Hawke's Bay. This event is significant as it showcases the growing visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community, particularly fa’afafine, in the region. The script highlights the overwhelming support from the Pasifika community during this event.

💡Pasifika community

The Pasifika community refers to people of Pacific Islander descent, which includes Samoan individuals. In the script, the Pasifika community is noted for their strong support of the fa’afafine community during the Manioro event. This support is indicative of the cultural values of acceptance and community within Pacific Islander societies.

💡Seasonal workers

Seasonal workers are mentioned in the context of being predominantly from Samoa and working in Hastings, a part of Hawke's Bay. This term is significant as it reflects the migration patterns of Samoan people to New Zealand for work, which also contributes to the cultural diversity and the presence of Samoan culture in the region.

💡Cultural integration

Cultural integration is a concept that is evident in the script through the establishment of the Teine o le Apu group and the acceptance of fa’afafine in Hawke's Bay. It refers to the process by which different cultures blend and coexist, creating a more inclusive society. The video shows how Samoan culture, with its acceptance of fa’afafine, is becoming integrated into the local community.

💡Community support

Community support is a central theme in the script, demonstrated by the positive response to the Manioro event and the creation of the Teine o le Apu group. It reflects the importance of community acceptance and the role it plays in fostering a safe and nurturing environment for marginalized groups like the fa’afafine.

💡Gender identity

Gender identity is a core concept in the script, as it relates to the experiences of fa’afafine individuals who identify and live as feminine despite being assigned male at birth. The video explores how these individuals express their gender identity and find acceptance within their community.

💡Coming out

Coming out is a personal process where individuals reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity to others. In the script, one individual shares their experience of coming out more after moving to Hawke's Bay, indicating a shift in their self-expression and a newfound sense of freedom.

💡Nursing

Nursing is mentioned in the script as a career aspiration of one of the fa’afafine individuals. This ambition reflects the individual's desire to contribute to society and care for others, highlighting the personal goals and aspirations of the fa’afafine community beyond their gender identity.

Highlights

The presence of a growing fa'afafine community in Hawke's Bay, which was non-existent in the past.

The unexpected existence of such communities in small towns, challenging stereotypes.

The use of makeup as a form of self-expression and identity among fa'afafine individuals.

Aspirations of a young fa'afafine to complete a Bachelors of Nursing, reflecting personal and professional goals.

The nurturing and supportive relationship between an older and younger fa'afafine, with the older one offering care in the future.

Personal growth and increased confidence after moving to Hawke's Bay, contrasting with a previous life in Melbourne.

Fear and reluctance to move back to Hawke's Bay due to past bullying experiences.

The surprising discovery of a supportive community upon returning to Hawke's Bay.

The establishment of 'Teine o le Apu', a local fa'afafine group in Hawke's Bay, providing a comfort zone.

The cultural significance of the term 'fa'afafine' in Samoan society and its representation in Hawke's Bay.

The role of Samoan seasonal workers in Hastings and their association with the apple industry.

The prevalence of fa'afafine in Samoan culture and their visibility in community events.

A young fa'afafine's early self-awareness and identification with the fa'afafine community.

The successful organization of the first Rainbow show in Hawke's Bay, marking a cultural milestone.

The overwhelming support from the Pasifika community during the Rainbow show, indicating a positive shift in societal attitudes.

Plans for a longer showcase following the positive feedback from the community.

The resourcefulness and creativity in makeup application with limited supplies in Samoa.

The emotional impact and inspiration drawn from seeing older fa'afafine role models by the younger generation.

The importance of visibility and representation of fa'afafine in fostering a sense of identity and community.