The Orator – O Le Tulafale

17 years after Vaaiga was banished from her ancestral village, three large and intimidating men, including her older brother Poto, arrive at Saili‟s house and forever change their quiet lives. Saili hides in his taro patch while Vaaiga, his wife, is left to confront these unexpected visitors. Poto, who is sick, demands Vaaiga, return with him and restore him and their family to health. Vaaiga refuses, determined to stay with her 17 year old daughter, Litia, and her beloved husband Saili. Saili fears he has neither the strength nor the status to defend himself and his family, for he is a little person. Without his deceased father‟s chiefly status, he is simply a taro farmer. Already his neighbours are encroaching on his land, disrespecting the graves of his parents and now his wife is being threatened, because Poto will return. Tagaloa, the paramount village chief, who protects Saili within the village, is aging fast.

Encouraged by Vaaiga to make a stand, Saili summons his courage and decides to seek his father‟s chiefly title but Tagaloa refuses, ridiculing his request. He does not believe Saili has either the required physique or the skill in oratory expected of the role. When the threats to his family escalate, Saili takes on the attackers, but his bravery results in a vicious beating and public humiliation. Without hope of defending his family and land Saili is tempted to give up. Suddenly, Vaaiga dies and Poto, her brother, returns and steals her body.

Saili, tormented by his failure to protect their love, faces his fears and seeks once more a chiefly title, determined to use it to reclaim Vaaiga. At Poto‟s village, Vaaiga‟s funeral is underway. While Saili summons the courage he will need to stand up and face this crowd, a delegation arrives from the village council led by a senior chief, Fousaga. Poto‟s artful oratory successfully defends the family‟s right to bury their banished sister with them. And then, amid laughter and mockery, Saili stands and faces Poto. His words speak of a love which defeats all possible gifts or argument. He wins Vaaiga back, death will not part them and the family will remain together.

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