Dancing Chanting Poetry Singing Ceremony Community Solidarity
This is one of our favorite events to participate in each year. We are always so happy to participate and share culture and ceremony with our native brothers and sisters from all over. This two-day celebration has grown exponentially over the years. It is a one of a kind celebration that brings together native artists of all genres.
AUE! Ua Hiti E!
To be chanted in to the circle by Aunty Pua was an honor we will always remember. Only those familiar with Aunty Pua and have experienced being in her presence knows what we mean. In the way that only she can, full of mana, and including everyone in the process, we were lifted up as everyone added their voices and chanted AUE! UA HITI E! “And that is how you welcome our family from the islands” were her words. All our nerves were calmed and we were ready to go.
“Ha” Life’s Breath
After the introduction ho’okupu, the vahine performed their breathtaking ‘aparima, Te Mata’i O Te Ora, with choreography by Anthony Aiu and music by Guilleme Matarere in partnership with Tamariki Poerani. The dance depicts the gift of life, from the simplest form of the “ha” or breath, that we all have been blessed with.
Creation Ote’a
With about two minutes to change costumes and rush back across the field to the stage, the vahine, thundered and erupted in their ote’a. We are always in a state of creation, choreography, relationships, alliances, peace, community, etc. This ote’a describes characteristics of the goddess Pele, from the thunderous quaking of the earth, to exploding and forging new paths with molten flow, and eventually solidifying as newborn earth after the volcanic glass dissipates. It is an exciting dance that parallels both the terror and fear of the unknown as well as the excitement and enthusiasm for creating anew.
One of our favorite things to do is to share our culture with those who are in attendance through teaching them our dances and then having everyone dancing together. Sometimes people can be shy, but when you hear the traditional Tahitian drums, they cant help but get up and move.