| Pasifika Hip Hop Poetry Doing the Healing
Rev. Mua Strickson-Pua aka REV MC
Talofa lava tena koe my name is Mua Strickson-Pua I am an Aotearoa born Samoan Chinese. Grandfather of Jane Filemu [6 years old] of Ngati Raukawa English Niuean Samoan descent where as cousins Che’den Sofi [3 years old] and Dremayer Liberty [10 months] are both of Samoan Chinese English descent. These mokopunas’ highlight for me the global reality within our Aiga/whanau. I am constantly humbled and blessed by their perceptions of the world around them. Yet challenged how to contribute to their life journey.
Our Aiga/whanau over the last sixteen years has been fortunate to do tours around Aotearoa, amongst Pacific nations, and more recently Australia. As a family of artists in different art forms who come together through unity of purpose “telling our stories”. Celebrating our individual stories to collectively our Aiga/whanau stories. From Linda [English Nana] photographer, poet, oversees finance, and on site manager on tour. Mua [Papa] poet, storyteller, comedian, MC, exhibition curator, media liaison and workshop coordinator, Ejay [daughter mum] hair stylist, fashion designer, visual artist, potter, weaver and backing vocalist. JP [nephew & EPR fame] music producer, vocalist, guitarist, dancer, and technician. Feleti [son/father Nesian Mystik fame] poet, vocalist, MC, concept designer and roadie. Melinda [daughter inlaw] singer song writer and visual artist. Our mokopunas Jane and Che’den were the youngest performing poets at 2006 Pasifika Festival. Doing their poem St Columbos Cat. We are a family of artists contributing to the dialogue and discourse on identity, culture, politics, and spirituality through our art forms and tours.
I am currently Tagata Pasifika Resources & Development Trust Chaplain and Pasifika Development Tutor. Pioneering P.A.T.H. Pasifika Art for Therapy and Healing amongst Pacific Nations communities. From here I implement my art forms for Ministry, Community Development and social change. Empowering individuals, families and communities. As an Aotearoa Samoan Chinese Artist who uses my art form for healing and social change. It is an honour serving our communities in turn humanity.
Please explore five of my poems that attempt to give insight to what it means to be me but just as important what it means to be us manuia le Malaga blessings on your journey.
AOTEAROA SAMOAN CHINESE
Aotearoa
New Zealand
Auckland
is where I was born.
Samoa
Malaela Upolu
PapaSataua Savaii
our ancestral islands.
Chinese
from Canton
who came to Samoa
for a better life.
My mother Jessie Vaitulu Purcell
came to New Zealand for education.
My father Sofi Pua
came to New Zealand for education.
Where
too
from
here?
HIKOI 2004
Mokopunas
I marched
with yous
in my heart.
Quietly
contemplating
your futures.
Saddened
you too
will walk
through these
painful pathways
of injustices.
TAGATA PASIFIKA RDT
Rubbish
strewn pathway.
Oceans
of tagging
drowns our walls.
Invisible
urine aroma
stained stair well
to where?
Damp
water damaged
walls of time
silently screaming
now melting away.
A
door so strong
that it holds up
the entire building.
Air conditioners
purely for show
stale air permeates.
Windows
that cannot
be opened.
Yet
see everything
we do.
This
is where we
gather to work
with our people
our Tagata Pasifika.
Nau mai haere mai.
Afio mai welcome to
Tagata Pasifika and
Resources Development Trust.
YOU ARE NOT A REAL SAMOAN
I have been raised
on the phrase
you are not
a real Samoan.
In the beginning
it was a statement
which brought me
much despair.
As time wore on
it would be the phrase
which challenged
and inspired me.
Looking back
with understanding
I am a Samoan
becoming real.
OUR PACIFIC IS NOT SMALL
Our Pacific
is not small.
Vast is
our ocean.
Stretching from
the east to the west.
How deep
is the South Pacific?
Emerald green
to sky blue
and darkest blue seas.
Four winds
blowing in
the changes of time.
Pasifikan
do not forget
who you are
and where you
come from.
This is
home
and
home
of our ancestors.
Follow your
heart
do not be small
in mind, spirit,
and heart
because our Pacific
is not small.
Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua
aka REV MC has a new book of poetry, MATUA, published by Pohutakawa Press, which will be released in September 2006.
AEN Journal Vol.1, Iss.1 | Index for this issue | 
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