The kātoaga is a customary festival in Wallis and Futuna, a French overseas collectivity in Oceania with a Polynesian culture. During this ceremony, goods are exchanged, such as pigs, baskets of vegetables, banigs, tapa or envelopes filled with banknotes. It takes place on the occasion of religious festivals, political events or private events. Of ancient origin and present in many Polynesian societies, the katoaga obeys a strict ritual and protocol that has changed little since the Christianization of Wallis and Futuna in the 19th century. It begins with a Catholic mass, is followed by a meal, a kava ceremony and dances performed by the villagers, before the food brought by the inhabitants is redistributed to the dignitaries and the population, each gift being allocated according to the rank of the person for whom it is intended. Speeches, poems and stories from the oral tradition are recited by the participating dignitaries. These major customary celebrations mobilize several villages or districts, and require several weeks or even months of preparation.
Pigs and banigs lined up in front of the Uvea royal palace in Matā'utu during a katoaga in Wallis in 2008
The food is cooked in a traditional oven ('umu), made by heating volcanic stones and then covering the food with earth, wrapped in banana leaves
The pigs are eviscerated and grilled before being put on display
Offerings (baskets of vegetables and grilled pigs) placed on the mala'e, in front of seated dignitaries (here, the katoaga takes place in front of the royal palace in Mata Utu on Territory Day, 29 July 2019)
Wallis and Futuna, officially the Territory of the Wallis and Futuna Islands, is a French island collectivity in the South Pacific, situated between Tuvalu to the northwest, Fiji to the southwest, Tonga to the southeast, Samoa to the east, and Tokelau to the northeast.
Drawing of Wallis Island by Captain Samuel Wallis in 1767
Ruins of the Talietumu fort
Aerial view of Wallis Island (Uvea)
Satellite image of Wallis Island