In this episode of ‘Instruments of the Moana’ we delve into the stamping tube, known as the ‘bass’ of the pan pacific soundscape. From its origins as a cooking utensil and fishing apparatus, we trace the stamping tube’s unique evolution across the Moana.
In Fiji, Simione Sevudredre shares the story of the ‘derua’, which originated as a cooking utensil. As food was prepared in times of old, bitu (bamboo) was rhythmically stamped to the accompaniment of chants, adding an auditory layer to the meal and turning the act of cooking into a ceremonial event. “When you are eating, you're not just eating a dish — you're eating blessings — audio and culinary, ensuring that what goes to the young chief is not only tasty, but sounds delicious,” Simione says poetically.
In Tonga, Tu’ifonualava Kaivelata shares his work to revive the ‘tuki pitu’, a long-lost instrument that has not been seen in Tonga for quite some time: "There's none in Tonga, they stopped practicing it for centuries now.” Tu’ifonualava explains how the tubes are tuned with precision and care to create deep, resonant sounds that anchored traditional performances.
In Samoa, Loli Tuisavalalo introduces the ‘ofe’, a bamboo tube used not only as a musical instrument but also as a tool for shark fishing. Traditionally, fishermen in Samoa used ofe to attract sharks, stomping the tube against the bottom of their canoes to create vibrations that travel through the water. As Loli points out, “We call in the pigs for their feeding time using sound — no different for summoning sharks”.
Join host Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava for this rhythmic exploration of an instrument that, though seemingly simple, carries centuries of history, craftsmanship and community within its resonant sound.
Host: Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava
Knowledge holders: Tu’ifonualava Kaivelata, Loli Tuisavalalo, Simione Sevudredre
Written by: Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava
Directed by: Tau’ili’ili Alpha Maiava & Guy Pigden
Filmed & Edited by: Campfire Studios NZ
Director of Photography: Isaac Newcombe
Production Lead: Will Flemming
Editor: Sam Wheeler
Graphics: Ben Ashby
Soundscape: Tomas Iglesias
Sound design & mix: Envy Studios
Colourist: Dave Mclaren
Research Assistant: Huni Mancini
Cultural Advisors: Tu’ifonualava Kaivelata, Ma’ara Maeva, Dionne Fonoti
Locations:
Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga
Savai’i, Samoa
Port Vila, Vanuatu
Auckland, NZ
Special thanks to:
Archive of Māori and Pacific Sound
Vanuatu Culture Center
Gallery Tavioni & Vananga
Alexander Turnbull Library
Auckland War Memorial Museum I Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision
Ministry of Culture & Heritage
Mahi Moana Inc.
Tagata Moana Cultural Lead: Mahi Moana Incorporated
Produced by: SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music I Toi te Arapūoru
This film is supported by funding from Manatū Taonga | The Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
© Copyright Centre for New Zealand Music Trust
