Music of Tokelau - Definition and Overview

Tokelau is a self-governing territory of New Zealand, located in the Pacific Ocean. Its people are of Polynesian descent, and their most well-known form of folk music is fatele. Fatele is a dance performed at many community gatherings and events. It is performed by a group, accompanied by pokihi (wooden box) and apa (biscuit tin), used as percussion. Each song begins with a stanza that is repeated up to a half-dozen times, followed by increased pitch and tempo.

Log drums (pate) are also played.

The most famous Tokelaun group is probably Te Vaka.