O Fetu o le Fale: Malu and Malosi
O Fetu o le Fale (Stars of the Home) is one of the five sacred Tagata constellations. It is the only one that does not have an accompanying Tagi Taua (battle cry). The constellation depicts the two Guardians of the Hearth. In drawings Malu (gentle) usually stands on the left and higher position and Malosi (strong) stands on the right and lower position, although both are considered equals in power and responsibility. As one of the five sacred constellations O Fetu o le Fale is a common ornamentation found on clothing, art, and architecture.
Navigation
The Tagata use O Fetu o le Fale to navigate safely through the barrier reefs which guard their islands. When the constellation is clouded, it is best to wait until the sky is clear, even if the delay lasts several days. Three steps are carefully taken to ensure safe arrival home. First, the bottom of Malu must align with the top of Malosi. Second, the top of Malosi and the second star of Malu need to rest upon each of the two great mountains. Finally, the bottom of Malu must realign with the top of Malosi. This process usually takes several hours.Festival of the Guardians
Religious holiday: every three years the Tagata honor the five sacred constellations with the Festival of Guardians. Each of the constellations has a day of exultation where the constellation's symbol, depicted on parchment banners, is hung throughout the city. Tradition maintains that the corresponding banner is hung on the constellation's day of exultation, but remains up through the sixth day of the Festival, when the balance and importance of all the Guardians are recognized together. It's considered bad luck for a banner to prematurely fall, but it the coastal winds make this an unfortunate commonality. Malu and Malosi are celebrated on the second festival day. Unlike the other days of the festival, during the exultation of O Fetu o le Fale families stay at home. At the start of the second festival day, youth approaching seafaring age (11-12) lead the passing of the flame. Torches made out of the gentle banana leaf are lit at the central bonfire exulting the guardian of light, Malama. (The bonfire is the ending celebration of the first festival day, exulting the guardian of light, Malama. It's flame stays lit through the Festival of the Guardians and is used to cook the dire boar on the sixth festival day.) The torch light is passed from the delivering youth to the oldest household member who is responsible for using that light to light the family hearth. The exultation of O Fetu o le Fale is the only day of the festival with celebrations primarily at home. Traditional food includes fried bananas, seared fish, seaweed salad, and fried bread.With this light we know that together we are brightest, but it is at home where this light starts.
Month of the Hearth
Every 12 years the moon rests in the center of the constellation. Children born during that sacred month are seen as a sign of blessing and prosperity for the family.Taonga Atama Te Morehurehu [RPG Character]
Taonga Atama Te Morehurehu has a deeper connection Malu and Malosi than most. He was born during the sacred month of the hearth, and as an only child, his birth was especially heralded. 12 years later during the next Month of the Hearth he was traveling with family when his ship was attacked by a whale with a strange marking on his snout that resembled the Guardians of the Hearth. The whale destroyed the ship, killing most of the crew. Taonga, his uncle were the only survivors from his ancestral clan to survive. After several months adrift, the two landed in the town of Saltmarsh. His uncle chose to stay at Saltmarsh, but Taonga chose a life at sea, where he was more likely to glimpse Malu and Malosi and find his way home.
Wonderful article. It not only tells about the constellation but also about the culture. I loved reading about Taonga and would love to read a bit more about the month of hearth. Are the children born during that month treated differently from other children? Are there any special customs during this month?