Moana & The Tribe Share Single / Video 'Tōku Reo' Feat. Inka Mbing

Recipient of the 2019 Classic Record for her trailblazing, politically-charged work with the Moa Hunters sung in both te reo Māori and English, Moana Maniapoto fittingly helps conclude Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Week) with a new single and video with The Tribe "honouring the importance of all native languages." A collaboration with Taiwan vocalist and activist Inka Mbing from the Atayal tribe, one of 16 indigenous tribes in Taiwan, ‘Tōku Reo’ is sung in Atayal and te reo Māori (both of which belong to the Austronesian language family) based on lyrics by Scotty Morrison — the collaborative outcome of a conversation between Moana Maniapoto, producer Paddy Free (Pitch Black) and Inka "about the loss of language and its revitalisation in Aotearoa / New Zealand." Accompanied by dazzling visuals directed by Vinnie Carter and filmed in Aotearoa and Taiwan, experience the second single from Moana & The Tribe's forthcoming album Ono here and scroll down for lyrics...

Toku reo, toku ohooho
My Language, my awakening
Tohu reo, toku oho kaikakau
My Language, my strength

Mai e te tipua, mai e te tawhito, mai e te kahui o nga ariki,
In the beginning, before there was Light, under the cloak of the gods

Mai e tawhiri atu ki ngā atua i te ora kua hanga mai o te ao i te putaketanga nei o tatou reo
From that ancient time when the ancestors and gods created a means to speak to each other,
Out of the darkness and their chatter in the Void, came…

Reo Waiti, Reo Waita
This Language of Sweetness, this Language of Eloquence

Reo i wehi mai e nga matua ko Ranginui e tu nei
This Language used by sacred forces to plot and plan the separation of Rangi Sky Father