Talanoa: Sia Figiel

Our Talanoa series comes out of our Marsden Project (2019-2023), 'Vā Moana: space and relationality in Pacific thought and identity'.

This talanoa with Sia Figiel took place at the newly-opened Galu Moana theatre in the village of Vaivase Uta in Sāmoa. A prominent Sāmoan novellist and poet, Figiel discusses the operating structure of her work, suʻifefiloi, and how concepts of vā and alofa influence how she creates. She talks of learning to negotiate vā as a girl in Sāmoa, the ‘forgetting’ that can occur in the diaspora, and coming full circle by returning home and living vā.

To cite: Figiel, S. (2023, 10 May) Interview with Sia Figiel (Videographer & interviewer: Emily Parr). Vā Moana: space and relationality in Pacific thought and identity interviews, Vā Moana - Pacific Spaces Research Cluster, Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

Click here to watch the talanoa.