Lalaga Card Game – Enabling Inter-generational Connections

It was during a self-imposed abstention from social media that Torisse Laulu noticed just how much cell phone use was intruding on the gatherings of family and friends. A persuasive distraction, the act of scrolling through endless online content was pulling people away from the here and now and serving as a barrier to meaningful conversation.

“This realisation ignited a new passion within me — a desire to find ways to nurture genuine connections beyond the digital realm. I yearned for conversations that delved deeper than the usual surface interactions. It was clear to me that there was an opportunity to foster more profound connections within our communities and among our loved ones. This led me to embark on a journey to discover how to make these connections stronger outside of these online worlds,” says Torisse.

Her journey of discovery relied heavily on talanoa, a rich source of information for Pasifika people to understand each other holistically, and acknowledge emotions, knowing, experiences, and the importance of space. And it was from these in-depth conversations that the card game, Lalaga, was born.

‘In my exploration, I hosted talanoa sessions – a space created for people to unpack, connect, heal. What I got from these sessions was a sense of connection that transcended our fast-paced ways of connecting. And I wanted to take that experience and make it accessible to as many people as possible.

That’s where I got the card game idea from, it was a way I could do this without the pressure and seriousness often associated with these conversations. It offered a fun and light-hearted way to bring people together and encourage them to truly connect. That’s when I realised that Lalaga could be another way to help us bridge those disconnections and create more meaningful connections,” says Torisse.

@lalaga.game @twosevenfive._ ♬ original sound - lalaga

The Samoan art of lalaga or weaving is a cultural custom which in the context of the Lalaga card game is about weaving conversations, allowing participants the time and space to have discussions on five levels of varying depths.

Torisse has high hopes for Lalaga and believes it can make a tangible, positive difference to relationships while also serving as a bridge between the generations.

“I’d like to see more connections and more intergenerational conversations taking place. There are so many stories that our elders keep with them, and I would love for Lalaga to be a space where they can share those stories/taonga with the newer generations. History and stories are traditionally passed down orally in a Pasifika context, so using this tool to unearth those stories can be seen as another way to document history. This game can be seen as a tool/lever for creating networks of support to talanoa and provide platforms for greater access to resources and information that will enable them to thrive and have a voice in societal discussions,” she says.

Connected communities create safer spaces, help dispel feelings of isolation and loneliness, and ultimately empower the people involved. It’s clear that the Lalaga card game has the ability to ignite a plethora of connections that will help bond people so that they can collectively thrive.