Alana Murray Tele - Siva Samoa Expert

Self-proclaimed ‘diva’, Alana Murray Tele, is an Aotearoa-born Samoan wahine who found her feet through teaching and learning Siva Samoa. Her story began in Grey Lynn where she lived with her grandparents, aunties, cousins and immediate aiga (family). With a Samoan mother and a Palagi father, Alana danced in many worlds.

Alana’s identity defies categorical constrictions as her queerness, European heritage and Samoanness intersect. However, bridging other people’s understanding of who she is has been a recurring challenge. Sometimes, it is as though people have an invisible checklist that they use to determine whether or not she is actually Samoan. Requirements may include, fluency in Gagana Samoa (Samoan language), memorisation of one’s gafa (genealogy) and knowledge of Aganu’u Samoa (Samoan culture and traditions). Even a ‘Siva Diva’ can have her confidence knocked by the panic of having to prove herself in spaces where she should belong.

When Alana felt like she was standing on shaky ground, she returned to a place that had always steadied her. Cautiously, she placed her bare feet alongside those of her cousins. Alana came home to her elders, her sisters and herself in a Siva class that was led by her aunt, Matalena Tulisi. It was just like the old days spent on Hakanoa Street. Here, she was seen; valued; loved.

These days, Alana teaches that very Siva class with Sau E Siva West Auckland. Her role as a kaiako has guided her from cultural dislocation to a staunch grounding in who she is. Through Siva, Alana’s self-confidence and sense of direction have been restored. Fiercely proud of her culture, Alana now supports others to orient themselves as Tagata Moana.