Rugby unites Pacific Islanders in Melbourne

Tuesday, 14 October 2008

For football fans in Australia, October and November are among the most intense months. The NRL and Aussie Rules Grand Finals often leave the victors and the vanquished recovering for weeks from their rollercoaster ride of emotions and fierce competition. In contrast, Pacific Islanders at this time of year use football to harness community spirit, celebrate their cultures, and life in Australia.

One big event coming up in Melbourne is the South Pacific Rugby Cup and Cultural Festival in mid November. It’s an annual event, endorsed by the Rugby Union of Victoria and brings together many communities including Tongans, Fijians, Cook Islanders and Samoans.

There will be plenty of rugby. But there will also be lots of food, dancing, art displays and information booths. I only just made it last year, in time to pick up some umu (earth oven) packs and my favourite Pacific style pineapple pie.

But this year, the Pacific Pulse team will head down to record the day’s events for the show, which debuts in the nextmonth or so.

The idea of a gathering hanging out umu stalls is already bringing back fond memories of the day I hung out at the Samoa umu pit at the 10th Festival of Pacific Arts in Pagopago. Have a listen to this and you’ll understand why.