2025, Volume 3
Article 1
Sex the 'Pacific Way': An autoethnographic talanoa
by Tiana Griffin (Sapunaoa, Matautu, Falealili)
The colonisation and missionisation of the Pacific has perverted Pacific sexualities to such an extent it remains taboo for Pacific people, especially young women, to talk about sex. To bring this subjugation of Indigenous sexuality into focus this article utilises the Pacific methodology of talanoa to give an autoethnographic account of one Mana Moana va’ine (Indigenous Pacific woman) quest to reclaim her sexual sovereignty. This talanoa not only depicts the journey of sexual subjugation to sexual empowerment it also makes clear that re-indigenisation requires access to Indigenous knowledge and practices. Escaping the usual coloniality of sexuality and academic research, this talanoa privileges Pacific women's voices, gender and sex. This talanoa takes sexual experiences that exceed colonial Christian imaginations and claims them wholeheartedly as sex the Pacific Way. Moreover, this talanoa provides inspiration and practical solutions for those wanting to re-indigenise their sexuality.