(Picture caption: Kiribati communities are gearing up to celebrate their identity this week, as Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati – Kiribati Language Week 2023 gets underway.)
Distance is no barrier for the Kiribati community of Aotearoa New Zealand when it comes to sustaining the Tungaru language and culture.
Being far away from their beloved homeland instead acts as motivation to continue nurturing, enhancing and championing the language and culture unique to Kiribati.
Kiribati communities are gearing up to celebrate their identity this week, as Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati – Kiribati Language Week 2023 gets underway from July 9-15.
Minister for Pacific Peoples Hon Barbara Edmonds says the Pacific Language Week Series provides an opportunity for all i-Kiribati people to celebrate culture, identity and language of the islands.
“This year the theme for the week is, Ribanan, karikirakean ao kateimatoan ara katei ma ara taetae ni Tungaru, which translates to Nurture, enhance and sustain the Tungaru language and culture,” she says.
Tungaru is the name given to the people of Kiribati by their ancestors, with the Tungaru culture and language playing a pivotal role in identity and wellbeing.
Minister Edmonds continues, of the 3,225 i-Kiribati people who call New Zealand home, 50 percent speak the Tungaru language, 20 percent of those born here can speak it, and only 24 percent under the age of 15 speak the language.
“There is a real push by Kiribati groups around the country to keep increasing these statistics and continue highlighting the importance of sustaining language and culture for next generation.
“Our 2022 Pacific Languages Strategy illustrates that investing in and growing Pacific bilingual and multilingual speakers is hugely beneficial for Aotearoa.
“It will help lift educational outcomes, enhance employment and earning opportunities, create cultural connections that improve wellbeing, and build the confidence and identity of our Pacific peoples.
“Through Budget 2023, we’ve invested $13.3 million to progress this strategy and ensure our communities better connect, learn and grow our languages.”
This week Kiribati groups will be hosting in-person and online events focused on learning Tungaru language through cultural practices, storytelling, crafts, dance and music.
A highlight of the week will also include celebrations for Kiribati Independence
Day on July 12.
Minister Edmonds is encouraging all Kiwis to get behind Kiribati Language Week and learn
something new about our Pacific neighbours – such as the greetings Mauri (welcome), Ko rabwa (thank you), and Ti a bo (goodbye).
Visit the MPP website for more information and language resources.