Tension filled the air as the last touch ups was about to complete.
Nervous with the last minute preparation, everyone in the Te Wairua Pakiki Learning Space helped to get organised for our celebration of the Samoan Language Week.
Lunchtime was over and performance will begin in 10 minute time. Testing. Testing. The sound is set and music is organised.
The junior students filed in with their teachers and were now seated. The guests of honour, Fr Felise, the parish priest (a Samoan man) and our principal, Mr Coakley were at the seat.. Some parents were coming in.
All the Te Wairua Pakiki students were in position for the siva.
Talofa Lava, Talofa Lava. as I welcomed everyone for our Siva afternoon.
The opening lotu (prayer) was led by Fr Felise followed by a Samoan welcome by the school Matai, Mr Tai. He was dressed in his matai attire and he spoke in Samoan. Not many children understood him but he was very impressive.
The first siva was a mauluulu by the girls. They performed with pride and grace. It was followed by a taupaki by the boys. It was great to see little boys tried their best and let alone most of them are non-Samoan.
The Sasa group was great. They moved together and everyone participated well.
The final siva was a tauoluga by a manaia, Tupua. He moved with groove and he knows his faasamoa. The aiuli or dancers from the back were doing their best.
The highlight was the support from Mr Tai, the matai and Fr Felise. Some of the parents joined the dancing and everyone clapped and cheered.
It was a really joyful celebration. Everyone had a turn to siva.
Hi Akesa!
ReplyDeleteMy name is Teegan, a year 8 student from YMS!
I like the fact you are celebrating a different culture!
Have you learned anything about Samoa?
Overall, Great Blog!
Kind Regards,
- Teegan J. Ducharme
Kia ora Akesa,
ReplyDeleteI'm Nikita from Yaldhurst Model School, your blog-post about Samoa Language was an interesting complex of writing, the description and detail in your writing was used so efficiently. I'm slowly looking through different cultures as well and I'd love to hear more extraordinary blog-posts involving culture & countries from you in the future!
Afterall learning and exploring the world can resolve in a lot of understanding of language which I already see you can represent.
Kind Regards,
Nikita.