“Fatele” Traditional Dancing in Tuvalu

“Fatele” Traditional Dancing

The fatele is a traditional dance song of Tuvalu. Dancing songs are the most common type of traditional Tuvaluan song, with other tradition dance styles including fakanau and fakaseasea.

The fatele, is performed at community events and to celebrate leaders and other prominent individuals, who came and visit Tuvalu. In any Tuvalu feasting or occasion, gatherings, weddings, birthday party and so forth it’s always end or to be closed the program with the fatele.

If we have high level guests at a party, the Master Ceremony of the night will announce and open the floor to any guests that who want to dance the fatele to stand up and dance.

Te titi tao is a traditional skirt placed upon another skirt – a titi kaulama – and tops (teuga saka), head garland, armbands, and wristbands continue to be used in performances of the fatele. This is how we decorate ourselves traditionally before we dance the fatele.