In
Tokelau a fiafia (literally "celebration," "get-together," or "happy"[1]) is a ritualized public social occasion, that comprises an exchange between two or more "sides" of various kinds of "gifts", which need not be material, including skits, theatrical performances, food, money, speeches, and even clowning; but mainly dancing.[2][3]
Fiafia are held at the conclusions of sporting contests, in particular the Tokeluan
communal cricket matches, and meetings, on saints days, and during
Christmastide; and one common form of such dance is the
fatele.[4][5]
Such celebrations also happen in
Samoa, and although the tradition form can still be seen on formal ceremonial occasions (weddings, inaugurations of schools and churches, awards) a more common form nowadays is a less formal "fiafia night" which is usually a buffet meal with slap-dancing and
fire-dancing.[6]
Hoëm, Ingjerd (2015). "Ritualized performances as total social facts: The house of multiple spirits in Tokelau". Ritual Communication. Wenner-Gren International Symposium Series. Taylor & Francis.
ISBN9781474248112.
Lal, Brij V.; Fortune, Kate, eds. (2000). "Dance on Tokelau". The Pacific Islands: An Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. University of Hawaii Press.
ISBN9780824822651.
Thomas, Allan (1996). "Fiafia, celebrations". New Song and Dance from the Central Pacific: Creating and Performing the Fātele of Tokelau in the Islands and in New Zealand. Dance and music series. Vol. 9. Pendragon Press.
ISBN9780945193777.