Niuean Language Week
Fakaalofa lahi atu!
Welcome to the 2023 Niuean Language Week.
Check out some of the facts and information about Niue and have a go and have fun learning some new things.
NIUE HISTORY
Niue is an isolated raised atoll in the south-west Pacific. Its closest neighbours are Tonga, Sāmoa, and the Cook Islands. Vagahau Niue is the indigenous language. Alofi is the capital. Niue was administered by New Zealand for Britain in the 1900s, hence the special relationship between Niue and New Zealand. Niue has been a self-governing country in free association with New Zealand since 1974. Tagata Niue are citizens of New Zealand. More Tagata Niue now live in New Zealand than on Niue. |
NAMING OF NIUE
Niue had several earlier names. One tradition is that the island was renamed after a chief’s sons and their followers travelled to their ancestors’ original homeland in Sāmoa, Manu‘a. There they were welcomed and entertained as kin. When they decided to return to Nukututaha, the chief of Manu‘a, Moa, gave them two special coconuts and explained why each one was special. On arrival back at Nukututaha, the chief’s sons held up these special coconuts and said “Ko e Niu ē!” (Behold, the coconut!). The coconuts were planted. One is the niu pulu, the coconut grown especially for making the sennit rope that is used in constructing traditional buildings and making canoes. The other coconut is the niu tea, the medicinal coconut. Its juice, husk, leaves, and just about every other part are used as medicine for a variety of ailments as well as for drinking and as food. According to this tradition, the name of the island was changed to Niue to honour the arrival of these two special varieties of coconut and to remember the chief of Manu‘a, who gifted them.
GREETINGS
Fakaalofa atu | Hello / Hi there / Greetings |
Fakaalofa lahi atu kia koe | Much greetings to you (to one person) |
Fakaalofa atu kia mua Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mua | Greetings to you both/two. Much greetings to you both/two. |
Fakaalofa lahi atu kia mutolu oti | Much greetings to you all. |
Fakaalofa hofihofi atu | Precious greetings to you |
Fakaalofa age ki ai | Greetings to her / him |
Fakaalofa age kia lautolu | Greetings to them |
Monuina e pogipogi | Good morning |
Monuina e afiafi | Good evening |
Monuina e po | Good night |
Enjoy Learning The Alphabet In Niuean
Niue Language Alphabet
Fakaako he tau Matatohi - Alphabet (16 letters) | |||||||||||||||
A | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | S | T | U | V |
Vowels (5 vowels) | ||||
A | E | I | O | U |
Consonants (11 consonants) | ||||||||||
F | G | H | K | L | M | N | P | S | T | V |
Practice Your Learning Using The Video
Fakaue Lahi!
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