Siva Sāmoa: Youth celebrate history and culture

Sāmoans are the largest Pacific island group in Aotearoa and their traditional dance, the Siva, is one way families expose their young people to their culture and heritage.

This weekend, the Le Masiofo Siva Academy is doing just that - holding its E Mamae Le Tava'e I Ona Fulu cultural show in Auckland for the fourth year.

Academy mentors Manaia Deikjhan Asafo and Mone Lakatani sat down with Pacific Days' Ma'a Brian Sagala to talanoa about the event.

This year's theme is from a Sāmoan proverb - 'E Mamae Le Tava'e i ona Fulu - The tava’e prides itself in its feathers.'

Manaia says Saturday's event is about showcasing what Sāmoa is all about and how proud the group members are to be a part of the island's culture and heritage.

Watch the Le Masiofo Siva Academy showcase in 2021.

He says traditional dance and music are central to Sāmoan life.

There are different types of Sāmoan dances.

The Siva is a slow fluid, graceful storytelling dance that is traditionally performed by a young woman.

The fa'ataupati is a fast, energetic slap dance, performed by men wearing traditional lavalava and the women in a two-piece - long skirt and knee-high dress - garment called the puletasi.

And then there's the siva afi, the spectacular fire knife dance performed by young men, twirling a large knife with burning flames at both ends around their bodies - all the while moving to the beat of a wooden drum. Women can also participate in the siva afi, often performing with ceremonial knives.

"We are proud of who we are and where we come from," Manaia told Ma'a.

Le Masiofo Siva Academy

"When our creative directors came up with the idea, we just basically wanted to showcase the blood that runs through our veins. To show the world how beautiful Sāmoa really is."

It's been four years in the making, Lakatani says, adding that Avondale College has hosted the show in the last three years. But for this year, the growing audience has prompted the organisers to move it to the Trusts Arena Stadium.

The academy has 15 tutors and about 200 students from age five to 25. There are also non-Sāmoans in the group.

Based in New Lynn, the dance group originally catered to the Sāmoan community in West Auckland.

But with its growing popularity and presence, the group's membership extends across Tāmaki Makaurau with students coming from as far as Karaka in the south.

Lakatani says having a safe space such as Le Masiofo allows many New Zealand-born Samoans to express themselves through their love of cultural performances.

He says the Le Masiofo Siva Academy cultural show on Saturday night also helps to preserve and grow the Sāmoan culture within the younger generation.

Le Masiofo Siva Academy

"There's a lot of singing and dancing. We want the children to be proud of who they are and at the same time learn Gagana Sāmoa through dance and singing.

"We also have the children's parents come and join us. It's good to have that intergenerational feel of learning."

Manaia says they constantly remind the students of why they are here and why they dance.

"They do it for themselves, for their parents and their culture.

'Practice and rehearsals have been enjoyable to watch, to see these young people eager to learn about their culture. It's been a delight to watch for us tutors.

"The children are hungry to learn and we feed that hunger. That's why it's been an enjoyable journey.

"This year has been different because our quality has stepped up. The kids have brought more to the table."

Le Masiofo Siva Academy's E Mamae Le Tava'e I Ona Fulu Showcase Saturday starts at 6pm. For tickets, visit https://rb.gy/0x7khs

Watch Deikjhan Asafo and Mone Lakatani's interview below.