Datifai Mokenoko
The Legacy Flame Ceremony - translated to English
Hemi bent to light the fire in the small basin used only for this purpose. The sunset faded, and darkness fell. As the fire grew, Thema dropped in satchels of cinnamon and ebony. The scent floated on the smoke, tickling their noses.
Pokika Nami (Thema):
“Okotamo Makare. Kusan nodu. Nei tamei kulei kajime felai mokenoko.”
Makare ancestors. Welcome home. Your children come seeking the flame of legacy knowledge.
Makare Family:
“Nodu mi nepomi nei. Tejima felai uni.”
My home is yours. Show us the flame.
Thema:
“Konena Makare, pokulei nei yeko ei kivujefo.”
Makare family, bring your respect and core.
Makare Family:
​​​(Hana and her family perform the four gestures of spiritual identity):
A circle in the center of the chest with an open palm: “Vul.”
Soul.
A fist across the chest to the hip: “Voki.”
Body.
Four fingers pressed to the heart: “Jeharu.”
Heart.
A tap to the heart, then to the temple: “Ofovi.”
Mind.
(All together with their hands waist-high, palms up):
“Powa pane uni.”
We give them (respect and core).
Thema:
“Pato ehefi falai mokenoko.”
Receive here the flame of legacy knowledge.
Makare Family:
“Uni kulofa ufe falai.”
We accept this flame.
(Thema finished the prayer to their ancestors on her own, then switched to English to recount the family successes, starting with the tam-tari, Keiyen-ri (the youngest—Evrard). She falters on what to tell the ancestors about Hana. Thema eventually speaks of Hana's patience and asks for a successful year ahead. Hana zones out after that, until the ceremony comes to a close.)
Thema:
“Okotamo, weka ehefi, ba natuti uni kivujefo. Adwimo ufe otepei konena. Posu welo tret.”
Ancestors, leave here, but never our core. This year, protect our family. Hold the path straight.​
Makare Family:
“Atsu ei tuti.”
Now and always.