Visualizing themselves: Tongan videography in Utah¹

This paper examines the process and product of video visualizations made by and for Tongan immigrants in Salt Lake City, Utah. Videographers and other members of the Tongan community collaborate on videos of events such as birthdays, weddings, funerals, and fund‐raising dances. Through video recording, editing, and viewing processes, they have many opportunities to create images of themselves within American society. The videos, prized among Utah Tongans and often sent to relatives in the islands, reflect their values and ideals. Here, I offer my examination of Tongan videography as a new approach to understanding others through their own visualizations.