Lana Lopesi, Author at E-Tangata

How we talk about race

Posted by Lana Lopesi | Sep 18, 2022 | Comment & Analysis

“Race is a socially constructed structure of power that we are part of, even if we refuse to acknowledge it, and one’s ethnicity is about personal ethnic identifications, whakapapa and ancestries.” — Dr Lana Lopesi.

The food of our ancestors

Posted by Lana Lopesi | Jun 26, 2022 | Reflections

“Research showed that taro was part of the Māori diet from the moment Polynesians arrived. It was known as kai rangatira, a food for important people and eaten on special occasions.” — Lana Lopesi.

Teine Sā — the feminist icons of Sāmoa

Posted by Lana Lopesi | Nov 21, 2021 | Reflections

“Looking in the mirror, brushing your hair or wearing your hair out was said to draw the attention of the Teine Sā. That could lead to sickness, possession or even death.” — Lana Lopesi, in an extract from her new book ‘Bloody Woman’.

Right now, our islands need us to stay away

Posted by Lana Lopesi | Mar 22, 2020 | Comment & Analysis

“Whether we like it or not, Aotearoa is a disease gateway to the Pacific,” writes Lana Lopesi.

False Divides — how do we get to know each other again?

Posted by Lana Lopesi | Sep 2, 2018 | Reflections

“On Twitter, I found my community. False divides established through imperialism clearly exist across Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, and maybe the internet provides an opportunity to jump across those.”