Unai Fu‘a

In the beginning, there were oceans. Puntan and his sister Fu'una opened their eyes from the dreaming and the creations began. Fu'una was chosen to carry the dream and instructions. At her brother’s death, Fu'una’s mourning overflowed the seas. With her hands, she formed a new world from Puntan’s body. From the body came the sun, moon, rainbows, and islands. Fu’una looked upon the new world and deemed it incomplete and so she gave of herself and a new dream was birthed and completed. From Fu'una we came  - a new world breathing. 

Tumaiguini 2022

On the eve of the Lunar New Year, I felt a strong calling down to Fu‘a Bay. I try to visit every year around the Lunar New Year,  but this year felt especially important. While there, I reflected on a memory of bringing my youngest sister and her friends to the bay on a rainy summer afternoon. Their laughter filled the entire bay. From the moment they opened the doors to the car till they returned home, pure glee filled the air around them. Although it was rainy, we were blessed by our ancestors for the entirety of our time there.  

 I’ve always been taught to go through the jungle quietly and respectfully, and I truly believe in the safety of those instructions. I told my friend the story of our visit and how I was scared to go through the jungle with such a loud group, and he replied with a sentiment that has never left me; he said that it seemed natural. That Lasso Fu‘a was a natural place for women to feel happy. I’ve found this observation to be true with all the groups of women I’ve visited Fu‘a Bay with over the years. 

Observing 2022 so far I feel a strong intuition that we will need some of Fu‘a’s special energies to carry with us. I believe that we will experience some remarkable moments while wearing this collection. I can’t wait to hear all the stories that will come.   - Lia