Story: Tokelauans

Te Vaka

Listen to a segment of a song from the successful Tokelauan band Te Vaka. The pate (log drums) maintain Pacific timbres and beats, forming the backdrop to their songs. They sing of Tokelau’s history and address diverse themes, from the Peruvian ‘blackbirders’ (slave traders) of the past to modern threats such as rising sea levels.

Sound file from Warm Earth Records

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Te Vaka

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Tokelauans - Culture and custom', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/music/733/te-vaka (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 8 Feb 2005, updated 25 Mar 2015