Flava Festival celebrates culture and students
School engagement contributed to ‘‘exceptional’’ performances at the 13th annual Ka Toi Ma¯ ori o Aoraki Flava Festival, a co-ordinator says.
Twenty-three schools and groups from South and Mid-Canterbury competed in the cultural competition showcasing visual arts, performing arts and kapa haka at the Theatre Royal yesterday.
For many of the students it was more than just a contest. Craighead Diocesan School kapa haka lead Atawhai Woolridge, 17, of Te Aupouri descent, said performing not only celebrated her culture but reminded her of where she was from. ‘‘If I know where I am from, I know where I am going,’’ she said.
To make the day extra special Atawhai’s grandfather gifted a piupiu (skirt) to the group, which she wore.
One of the festival co-ordinators, Anna Buckingham, said the quality of the performances was impressive.
‘‘We had some outstanding performances.’’ She said schools were engaging more and she had seen a significant increase in the way schools were embracing te reo.
Craighead teacher-in-charge of kapa haka Sonia Ottley said it was the first year the group was using poi and wearing culturally appropriate clothing instead of school uniforms. It was also the first time the school had entered in the festival’s competitive category after encouragement from the judges to do so in 2018.
‘‘It is a chance for the girls who may not usually shine at school to shine here,’’ Ottley said.
Travelling from Ashburton Intermediate for the festival, Maria Hala, 12, of Hakatere descent, had been competing in kapa haka since she was 8. ‘‘It is good to experience my culture.’’
Her group had been practising for the past two months and she said they were ‘‘feeling confident’’.
As the festival gained popularity organisers had asked for feedback from the young performers of what kapa haka meant to them. Buckingham said some of the responses included, ‘‘It’s my life’’ and ‘‘Through kapa haka I can release my emotions so I am in a better space to take on the rest of the world’’.