Nu'u

When I think of my nu’u (village/community), I think of land. I think of the soil Pa built his family on: the acres of talo and koko he planted; the sacred grave he made for Fa’afetai and the place he saved for himself next to his son.

I reminisce on the sugarcanes that grow untamed at Uncle Vili’s house; and miss the big breadfruit tree that used to shade the ‘three corner’ house–the one Dad built after marrying Mom.

This small collection of watercolor paintings are an ode to my nu’u. I donated them to a silent auction raising money for the non-profit Inneract Project, an organization very much dedicated to the community building and fellowship of Black and Brown designers and students.