‘It’s part of our culture’: Being fa’afafine in Hawke’s Bay
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
🌈 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
💡Hawke's Bay
💡Teine o le Apu
💡Manioro
💡Pasifika community
💡Seasonal workers
💡Cultural integration
💡Community support
💡Gender identity
💡Coming out
💡Nursing
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.
Transcripts
The OG’s from here,
this is all new to them.
There was never a fa’afafine community
when they were growing up in Hawke's Bay.
People really don't expect
these communities from small towns.
You can have some mascara.
What is that? Don't move.
Or this is gonna go into your eyeball, sweetie.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
A girl.
I want to complete a Bachelors of Nursing.
Oh, that's sickening.
I can look after you when you get old.
Once I moved here, I’ve come out a bit more.
I wasn’t as...
I guess...
“Womanly”
when I was still living in Melbourne.
When I found out I was moving back here,
I didn't want to come.
I was scared to come here and be bullied.
But I didn’t expect there would be
this much of a community here in the Bay.
So Teine o le Apu
is a group that we started a year ago.
It's a group of fa’afafines that live
locally in Hawke's Bay, and we've built this group
just to have a comfort zone for us.
Teine means
women or girl and
Apu means apples.
Majority of the seasonal workers here in Hastings
are from Samoa.
So every time people say Hastings or Hawke's
Bay, they would automatically think of apples.
In Samoa where I grew up
Every family has a fa’afafine.
It's part of our culture.
So I grew up seeing a lot of the older generation
at chapels, at events,
functions, you name it. You would see them everywhere.
I already knew I was a fa’afafine at probably like five.
We had the Manioro here earlier this year in Jan.
It was the first Rainbow show
here in Hawke's Bay.
We were speechless
with the amount of support that the Pasifika community
brought through that night, we saw everyone there.
It was a full house.
One, two, three.
One..
The feedback that we got back from that night,
people wished it was longer.
So now we are planning to have a longer showcase.
When you were growing up
how did you do your makeup?
I had to work with all I had back in Samoa.
We had like, some Thin Lizzy.
So you just have to let it set into your skin.
Okay.
Oh, look at you.
You’re glowing.
Is that your real hair?
Yeah it’s my real hair.
Do you want to touch it?
Oh, it's very nice.
I killed a lion for this.
It's such an amazing and overwhelming feeling
when I see the younger generation. I know that
they get very excited to see, you know, fa’afafines
that are much older than them.
It inspires them.
That's how I felt when I was young.
Watching the older generation of fa’afafines
walking around freely, dressed as who they are.
Just brings back all the memories from my childhood.
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