Cohesiveness shines in raw TINA¯
Kia Mau Festival: TINA¯ by TULOU Collective and O Le Pa’a Ona Vae by Samoana Nokise. Reviewed by Xavier Muao Breed – Villages in Sa¯ moa: Lotofaga (Aleiptata), Matatufu, Falelatai, Falefa¯
The dance work, TINA¯ meaning ‘‘mother’’ in Samoan, is a glimpse into concepts around motherhood and what it means to be a teine toa or strong female of Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa (The Pacific Ocean).
There is collaboration and cohesiveness between the five strong, beautiful and graceful Pacific women on stage, with choreography and performativity that is raw. The sense of sisterhood amongst the performers and an understanding of one’s own mana is mesmerising, even with the slightest of movements.
Highlights include a solo section with Faith Schuster, performing Siva Sa¯ moa (Sa¯ moan dance), with robotic and discombobulated movement, reflected within a pre-recorded Samoan song; the climatic group sections that highlight the performance and technical prowess of TULOU Collective and the incredible Siva Sa¯ moa, choreographed by Idalene Ati, to end the work.
The transitions between each section of TINA¯ need more attention to carry audience members from one part of the story onto the next. The work has the potential to be further developed and shown in an array of performance spaces – particularly where Pasifika are able to access the work.
TINA¯ was not only a celebration of Pacific women and Pacific mothers, but a statement that contemporary dance vocabulary and works belong to all women – no matter their body shape, their technical experience and their cultural background.
Ufitia Sagapolutele, Lyncia Mu¨ ller and Schuster, along with guest dancers Lavender Ta’ale Tuigamala and Funaki
Taulanga, are redefining what it means to be a contemporary dance practitioner in Aotearoa New Zealand and inspiring other young Pacific women to move how they want and feel good in their own skin.
‘‘E sui faiga ae tumau faavae’’, the alaga’upu Sa¯ moa or Sa¯ moan proverb relays the message that though our practices may change, the foundations stay the same. The show O Le Pa’a Ona Vae, by Samoana Nokise and her powerful cast of movers (Jacob Ioapo, Wahia Te Pouri Felise, Petesa Maea), is a perfect example of this proverb.
The cast explores the evolution of Siva Sa¯ moa
(Sa¯ moan Dance) – incorporating contemporary dance elements whilst still holding onto traditional dance techniques such as the se’e (gliding of the feet), and a spirituality that underpins Siva Sa¯ moa. They take their ancestors, family, and village with them through the choreography.
O Le Pa’a Ona Vae represents
Samoan storytelling at its finest – clean and mature choreography taking audience members on a malaga (journey); the ability of the performers to move between feminine and masculine movement qualities; the nostalgic voices and sounds of Sa¯ moa – the igi of the guitar (Samoan guitar picking technique); the hymns and pese (songs) that transport me to a family tona’i (feast) and gathering, or the chambers of a church; and the reminder of how physically demanding and difficult Siva Sa¯ moa can be, when done with one’s whole spiritual, emotional and physical self.
Both TINA ¯ and O Le Pa’a Ona Vae symbolise an exciting time within the arts sector in Aotearoa, where more of our artists who whakapapa to Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, are sharing the measina (gifts) of our Pacific homelands – the culture, the practices, the languages and songs through contemporary work.