Island time

Tūhura Otago Museum Pasifika engagement co-ordinator Leota Meredith (left) and Tuvalu Vaka (canoe) builder Toni Tekie with a Tuvaluan conch shell musical instrument at the museum yesterday.

It is one of many cultural treasures on display at the museum as part of Tuvalu Language Week, including traditional fishing gear, turtle-shell axes, intricately woven fans, and a beautifully crafted headrest.

The theme for the celebration is Taofi mau ki tau ‘gana, mo tou gaugaleo, me ko tou iloga tena — Uphold your language and dialect, for it is your identity.

The event incorporates Tuvalu Independence Day which is today.