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This year, more than 200 people witnessed the wonderful cultural display organized by Le Masiofo Siva Academy.
photo: RNZ Pacific/Grace Tintali-Fiavaai
Siva Samoa Dance Academy in West Auckland is dedicated to preserving and nurturing Samoan culture through the performing arts.
This year, more than 200 spectators thronged the Trust Stadium to see the fantastic cultural display hosted by Le Masiofo Siva Academy.
The academy blends traditional Samoan music and sounds with the energy of New Zealand’s young expatriate community.
The show is in its fourth season and director Steva Auina said there are performing arts academies specifically for women or men.
But she said Le Masiofo offered a unique opportunity for young Samoans in New Zealand, where mentors were dedicated to reviving traditional Samoan performing arts and passing them on to younger generations.
One of these customs is the ancient Samoan singing style known as “fa’asala.”
Fa’asala is a complex, nasal singing style with harmonies that differ greatly from ordinary singing and is often summarized as “the singing of the elderly.”
“So, this year we sang fa’asala… It’s a very nasal singing style that maybe only our grandparents could sing. It’s just a way of singing that we’ve gotten used to.”
This year, more than 200 people witnessed the wonderful cultural display organized by Le Masiofo Siva Academy.
photo: RNZ Pacific/Grace Tintali-Fiavaai
However, Oina said that for the new generation, the Le Macioff Orchestra’s music director had to fine-tune the entire orchestra so that they could hit the right notes, “because playing those specific notes is not modern in terms of what our kids are used to.”
“Our themes are changing, our craft is changing. But in terms of the people who make the craft, the team remains the same.”
Oina believes that over time, the Samoan diaspora has become disconnected from culture and tradition.
“A lot of Samoans live in different countries and we do kind of lose touch with the culture and we do some of the Samoan faafiafiaga (entertainment) stuff.”
For this year’s show, Le Masiofo hopes to target the older generation of Samoans, “taking them back to moments and places that are familiar to them,” she said.
“When our students perform, we want them to emulate their ancestors,” she said.
Oina also believes in opening the door and welcoming non-Samoans to learn about their culture.
This year, more than 200 people witnessed the wonderful cultural display organized by Le Masiofo Siva Academy.
photo: RNZ Pacific/Grace Tintali-Fiavaai
Auckland University student Yanz Chen, who grew up with his Samoan best friend, was one of the non-Samoan performers at the show.
He participated because he loved this culture, and it became an unforgettable experience in his life.
“Personally, I was never someone who liked acting. I didn’t know I would have such a passion for it. I just started doing acting to try something new,” Chen said.
For Samoan parents, the pride of their children is of utmost importance.
Mother Esther Salafai Limoni said the academy has helped her daughter develop a strong connection with her culture.
“To see her put herself out there, especially her generation that’s constantly pushing themselves because sometimes it’s hard to fit yourself in when you can’t speak Samoan properly or when you’re not into your culture, but for her, she took every opportunity,” Limoni said.
Currently, Le Macioff Academy has plans to travel to Samoa next year to participate in the Teuila Festival held annually in Samoa.
The academy offers tailor-made courses for different age groups for up to 150 students and is open to everyone.
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