Festival farewells
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
Outside Australias fale at the festival village, singer Kerryanne Cox’s lyrics wafted across the green, “No matter how far I go, my feet will carry me home” and the tears welled up in my eyes. Why am I so emotional?! Because it was at that moment that I realised the closing days of this festival were upon us. The farewells were beginning.
Down on Utulei Beach, the Tahitians took to the performance stage one last time with their pulsing rhythms and shaking grass skirts. But the pace slowed for a moment and the group lined up at the front of the stage to sing a farewell song. The crowd responded.
I am thinking of all the young people I have seen at this festival. The young Tongan girl that lives here in American Samoa, who came down and spent an entire day with the Tongan women learning to make tapa.
The wide eyed Polynesian girl who posed for a photo with the PNG group, her first taste of Melanesia. The boys at the umu, practicing their living Samaon culture to crowds of salivating onlookers, eager to taste the flavours. And young half Samoan Eggie, aged 16, who Clement and I found hanging out with the PNG delegation learning his PNG father’s language from the wantoks.
14 year old Joshua from New Ireland Province in PNG , who has been performing with the Tamir Cultural group for 8 years now, is an experienced performer already. This is his second trip overseas with this group, but at this festival he realises he part of something much bigger.
It is through the young ones that the cultures of the Pacific will either live or die. Those who witnessed the festival will never forget it. I am so full of hope that it has left the same lasting impression on the kids as it did on me 20 years ago. Perhaps for some an even stronger one.
For the morally sensitive Samoans to look past the bare breasts of PNG dancers and see something else. There was barely a murmur about what many expected would cause outrage over here in the Samoas. A new sensitivity was found – cultural sensitivity – one that works both ways and underlines how Pacific people walk in two worlds.
The ula of the Pacific has been thread and bound tight over these past two weeks. We got the colour and the excitement we expected, but we got so much more. Yes, culture and tradition is deeply rooted throughout the Pacific, but it’s evolving. At this festival we saw contemporary art, theatre, fashion and music – all grown out of tradition, all distinctively Pacific.
Cultural leaders are discussing the need to protect the Pacific brand, to go with the adaptations of traditional art forms, economise it and ensure the rewards go back to the people who are the custodians of these traditions. When the Pacific unites it is a powerful voice.
Back at the Australia fale, my adopted country, the country where my father was born, the crowd joined the Aboriginal performers in a farewell dance. The MC said, “In our culture we don’t say goodbye, we say see you, see you, see you later.”
See ya later! The Australian way to say farewell. So we will see you later – in four years’ time in Honiara in the Solomon Islands for the next awesome, inspiring, must do, must see, must experience Festival of Pacific Arts.
Your Comments
Bert Hall, St. George, Utah USA , August 2nd 2008
love reading your articles….when you return to Australia…is there a website or something that we can subscribe to so we can watch your shows that deal with the Pacific region….
David , August 2nd 2008
I´m writing from the antipodes, Spain. I’ve enjoyed a lot reading your stories and watching your photos. I’d like to see the next festival in the Solomon Islands and I hope you all the people from the Pacific Islands would be able to keep your amazing culture, traditions and way of life. Best wishes.
Donny Ryff , August 3rd 2008
Thankyou for your compelling and insightful account of the “Pacific” experience. Your stories are truly wonderful and have inspired me to learn more about what is a rich and diverse part of the planet.
Stewart Abdul Yareki-Port Moresby , August 4th 2008
BEING BARE-BREATED (SO WHAT) MORDERNIZATION IN SOME SENSE CORRUPTS THE MIND IN THINKING THE WAY OTHER WANT US TO THINK.
PNG IS A MELTING POT BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT KNOWN MATTER WHAT WE WILL ALWAYS AND MAY I STRESS ALWAYS HAVE A SENSE OF PRIDE FOR OUR ANCESTORS AND THAT IS ONE ELEMENT WE WILL NOT CHANGE. WHY SHOULD WE ADAPT JUST TO SUIT A IF PEOPLE THAT THINK LESS OF US WHEN THEY ARE THE ONCE THAT HAVE LOST IT ALL.
COME ON OCEANIA WAKE UP AND SEE THE OCCUPTION OF OUR CULTURES, IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT UNDER OUR NOSES.
RELIGION WAS GOOD BUT IT TOOK AWAY THE RIGHT FOR US TO BE WHO WE REALLY ARE.
I WILL FOREVER PROCLAIM MY RIGHT TO THE WORLD THAT WE ARE THE TRUE PEOPLE.
wanbel stap………………….
Abdul…..@@@@@@@@@@@
Myra , August 6th 2008
Mr. Abdul,
Like you, I am polynesian with Samoan origins and am very proud to be one as I am also proud of my culture and heritage. I myself would not change my beliefs to suit others regardless of any situation.
I can proudly say to you that our Samoan culture is more alive today more then ever, and it is due to the root of our Samoan belief, and that is, “Samoa e muamua le Atua” – In Samoa, God is first.
Religion has not taken away any right from us to be a “true people” but it has, and all thanks be to God; made us even stronger.
God Bless.
religion!!! , August 15th 2008
Mr abdul,
God never take away your right, You have the freedom to speak, and to say whatever you want to, and to do whatever you feel like doing…and to le t you know that our samoan culture is strong up until now…. it makes it stronger and stronger if you people put God first in everything. You can proclaim whatever you want, but the “Samoan Culture” is NEVER and the belief of the people is never going to change.
god bless…
Thu Hang- Viet Nam , November 4th 2008
I’m interestsed in your story. I wish I were you to attend that festival. Your photos is actracted me. After reading i know lots information about culture in a part of world. Thanks!
Best wish!
cici , December 4th 2008
Was the shirtless siting a culture. because here in Hawaii we wear clothing to cover our body parts. :)
Anonymous , December 4th 2008
Hi, i am doing a project on American Samoa and i’m trying to find some changes from 20 years ago. and i can’t find and pictures. i love the pictures above!!! there AWESOME
Nopa Raki , January 23rd 2009
Was at the Festival in Pago Pago. Enjoyed every bit of the Festival in general. People of all walks of life were found to be pacified. Faafetai lava to the host country and the respect displayed by all people, particularly to PNG. Thank you Tania for covering most of the Festival events. Tofa soifua
Nopa Raki , May 18th 2009
Hi Tania and Clement!
Your program, Pacific Pulse appeared on PNGs Kundu 2 Television network last week. The content was rather recent and very informative. Segments of the 10th Pacific Festival of Arts brought lots of memories down the lane. The Solomon Islanders’ pan flutes were really a highlight in Pago Pago during the Festival. Good reporting Pacific Pulse Team. Keep up the good work.
connie , May 30th 2009
haha speaking as anther rep from png :). They are right mr abdul. God never took away the people’s right. We took it from ourselves. Like you said.. the only reason why topless girls might be unacceptable today is only because of the impurities the media and such have protrayed to us in modern times, that corrupt our way of thinking. But if we are with God, it can only be the opposite. Going topless would mean nothing :)
God bless
Anonymous , September 20th 2009
I am a Tongan and I rather see the PNG people going topless and it is part of their tradition/Cultural dance than watching the filth that goes on TV.
Pacific Islanders, Children, Parents and the Pacific Islanders People!!!!!! as Pacific Islanders, we Decide which Pacific Islanders we want and we will teach, lead , encourage, empower leadership in our actions and roles to take Pacific Islanders to the next level.
What (they) ancestors began yesterday, are emerging and are shining today, and tomorrow’s generation will enjoy the warmth of the sunrise they have created.
There has to be a yesterday, today to develop a tomorrow.
God never take away our rights, We have the freedom to speak, and to say whatever we want to, and to do whatever we feel like doing and I totally agreed wholeheartedly.
I love the passion and pride of our Pacific Islanders ancestors who have left their energies left behind that have developed in us Pacific Islanders which we are so proud of.
Although we are in a generation of many changes we are so honoured and so proud that as Pacific Islanders we are uniquely have elements on us that we kept and treasured for ever. In our hearts, in our, in our souls, in our minds, in our body, in our bloodlines we stood together perpetually and will pass on to our generations.
We are connected, united as Pacific Islanders and let us acknowledge, appreciate and celebrate our rich cultures.
Pacific Islanders’ lives are our families, religion & our communities & our families are our lives! We all belong to one family and one community. Let us work together as a family as a Pacific Islander community and be united to bring peace, good luck, prosperity and harmony everyday to all Pacific Islanders.
Ofa
Anne Sikimeti Latu
Sydney Australia
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Malelega , August 1st 2008
Fa’afetai lava Tanya and Clemens. I’ve enjoyed reading your stories of the festival. Will make sure to check out Pacific Pulse. Safe journeys and Godspeed. Soifua