In a world that often seems to blur the lines between cultures and identities, there's a hidden treasure that I hold dear to my heart - my Tuvaluan language, my gana Tuvalu. Toku gana e fakataua ne au me ko toku iloga tena. My language is important to me because that is my connection to my culture. Toku igoa ko Aniese (Ani) au se tamataene mai Vaitupu/Nui Tuvalu. To be immersed in the Tuvaluan culture it is vital to learn the gana Tuvalu as it is an integral part of recognizing the importance of understanding the cultural context and worldviews.

It's through my language that I connect with my ancestors and navigate the intricate tapestry of my culture.

Gana Tuvalu is not just a language; it's a portal into a world of customs, traditions, and rituals that define our way of life. From the fatele dances that celebrate our joys to the solemnity of church services, funerals, weddings, and the communal gatherings known as fakaala, gana Tuvalu is the thread that weaves these moments together.

However, gana Tuvalu is not confined to these special occasions alone; it permeates every aspect of our daily lives.

In a Tuvaluan home, you'll find the principles of fakanofoga, the guiding values that shape our actions and interactions. Respect, or 'ava', stands as the cornerstone of these principles. In our homes, we're taught from an early age to honour our elders and each other. We sweep and clean our houses daily as a symbol of the collective responsibility we share as a family. We show respect to our boy and girl cousins by refraining from telling jokes, for it is considered taboo to mock one another.

When you enter a room where others are already seated on the ground, you must also be seated on the ground to show empathy and respect. In most cases throwing objects at anyone, standing up to eat or drink, using foul language, playing loud sounds, and drinking alcohol in excess are perceived as acts of disrespect.

In New Zealand, where I now reside, our Tuvaluan community primarily operates within multicultural frameworks. We are a minority Pasifika community here, and it's disheartening to witness the potential threat of cultural encapsulation. We fear losing our culture, our identity, and the very essence of what makes us Tuvaluan.

But there is hope. We, as Tuvaluans, have the power to preserve our culture, and it begins with our language. By speaking gana Tuvalu at home, we not only keep our cultural heritage alive but also ensure that we can pass it on to future generations. Our language is the vessel that carries our identity forward, and it's a responsibility we bear with pride.