Tongan Kupesi Design: Manulua

In the Art Gallery of Tongan kupesi meanings, I stand in front of a framed picture of the Manulua. The kupesi motif consists of a square, made up of triangles, created by diagonal and crossed lines that meet in the middle.

            The picture frame starts to blur, and a memory forms inside the frame, as if it was a television from my eyes, and there I am with my Kupesi Workshop Facilitator. We sit in the room as she tells me how kupesi designs were only made by women of high status in Tongan society. But she adds now anyone can do kupesi art, which relaxes my male awkwardness.

            The kupesi mentor explains how the language is alive in the motifs and designs. The Tongan word Manu is translated as animal in English, and lua means two hence it specifically refers to two birds where some believe they symbolise chiefly status.

            I’m taking notes as she points out the Tongan word ua, meaning two in English, is used here in its ancient form of lua.

            Looking at the Manulua return picture while I am still within the Art Gallery of kupesi, I’m amazed at the wealth of culture hidden inside a simple kupesi design.