Kiribati Language Week with Baua Redfern & Nan Noerin Redfern
Kiribati Language Week take place from Sunday 10 July to Saturday 16 July. We interviewed Baua Redfern and her grandmother Nan Noerin Redfern about what makes Kiribati and its language so special.
Hello! Can you please tell me a little bit about yourselves?
Kam Na bane Ni Mauri, my name is Baua Redfern and live in Auckland New-Zealand. I migrated to New-Zealand with my parents in 1996 and have lived majority of my life in New-Zealand.
Tell me a little bit about Kiribati and where your family hails from.
Kiribati is made up of 33 atoll Islands, however only 20 of the Atoll Islands are inhabited.
My Father comes from the islands Butaritari and Onotoa. My Mother comes from Tabituea (which is the biggest Atoll Island) and Tarawa.
What makes Kiribati so special and unique among the Pacific Islands?
Because of where Kiribati is situated, it is actually the first country in the world to see the sunrise and sunset.
It’s Kiribati Language Week - tell me about the Kiribati language and why it’s important to you to celebrate it - from both your points of view.
It is important to celebrate Kiribati language week as it helps other in New-Zealand learn, understand and know more about Kiribati and the culture.
It also helps us as I-Kiribati remember the importance of the language. Speaking from personal experience I am not fluent in the language and now that I am older I wish that I knew how to communicate comfortably and confidently in my Mother tongue.
What are some of the misconceptions about Kiribati?
We get mistaken a lot for being Polynesian. However, Kiribati is a smaller Island so therefore we are actually are Micronesians.
What celebrations happen for Kiribati Independence Day?
Celebrating the Independence Day usually starts with a 3 day sporting event. The sports being played are Basketball and Volleyball. On Saturday there are groups from all over New Zealand that come together to celebrate the Independence Day. This consists of a lot of dancing, singing and enjoying each other’s company.
Finally, we know that one of the great connectors (and something we’re quite competitive about) between our islands is food. What is a traditional Kiribati dish? And would you like to share the recipe with us?
Growing up there was a coconut sweet that my Mum and Aunty would make all the time. It was very easy to make and I loved eating it. However I would recommend all in moderation.
Hello! Can you please tell me a little bit about yourselves?
Kam Na bane Ni Mauri, my name is Noerin Redfern. I am 65 years old and live in Auckland New-Zealand. I have lived most of my life in Kiribati and migrated to New-Zealand with my husband and daughter in 2012.
Tell me a little bit about Kiribati and where your family hails from.
I come from the Tabituea North and South.
What makes Kiribati so special and unique among the Pacific Islands?
It is special to me because the people are friendly and it is a peaceful country.
It’s Kiribati Language Week - tell me about the Kiribati language and why it’s important to you to celebrate it - from both your points of view.
Man am taetae ko na kinaaki bwa kaain iara ngkoe. Karinean abam ao Karineaia am bakatibu.
For me I feel there are 3 important reasons to celebrate Kiribati language week:
1. To let the world know where you are from
2. Respect your mother's tongue (homeland)
3. The remembrance of your ancestors as it is the language passed from them to ongoing generations.
Finally, we know that one of the great connectors (and something we’re quite competitive about) between our islands is food. What is a traditional Kiribati dish? And would you like to share the recipe with us?
Te Tuae is one of my favourite Kiribati dishes.
It is made from Pandanus fruit and coconut cream. You mix both ingredients together then it is ready to serve and eat. DELICIOUS!