Thursday 25 July 2024

Josh Tatofi's latest Samoan release...

Just listened to Josh Tatofi's new release a couple of days ago called "Le Tu'una Oe". Really interesting as a Tongan artist living in Hawaii and singing a Samoan song. Gotta give it to him for singing this beautiful song.

It's a love song about a couple who are together but there's no commitment yet as one is asking (not sure if it's rhetorical) if they would turn their back or if the person is on the other's mind and wants to hug to keep the memory. It feels like the love is one-sided at this stage.

I found it interesting to hear his group sing the word "sogi" because it's an old Samoan word that you don't hear often. As it's similar to the Māori word "hogi" which is the touching or pressing of the noses which Māori still practice with their greetings (although sometimes people choose to hug instead).

I've also practiced it on many of the Marae or hui (meetings) that I've attended with Māori present but it's a cultural practice that Samoans no longer practice. Some people say that the word is equivalent to kiss but it isn't really.


 

No comments:

Post a Comment