Water Tip-Cat

The game tapalenga (from tapale, to strike) is played in the water between two sides. A short piece of light wood (uto) and two sticks (au tapale) form the equipment.

The water must be shallow enough for the players to stand on the bottom and use the sticks. Two imaginary goal lines (tingi) are agreed on. The players hold a stick in each hand while the uto has to be struck over the goal line. With the left hand stick, the player strikes the water near the uto so as to throw it up in the air on the splash. While the uto is in the air, he strikes it with the right hand, stick in the direction of the goal. The game is simple, but has two oft quoted sayings connected with it: "Le uto 'ua tingi" (The float has reached the goal). On reaching the goal it is returned, hence: "Taliu le uto" (The float comes back).

When visitors pass through a village on their way to another, the saying is used to invite them to call in on their return.