Siva afternoon

Learning intention: We are learning how to do report writing about a past tenseness

Siva  Afternoon 

By Josaia

On Friday 29 May 2020, to celebrate the end of Samoan language week,
St Pius X students in Te Wairua Pakiki 4, 5 and 6 performed a Siva afternoon.
The junior students from Takiritia 1 and 3 were the audience and they were 
joined by  Father Felise, Parish Priest,Teachers,local matai Mr Tai and a few
parents. The students  all looked very confident when they sat down waiting
to start and there was excitement building. 

The backdrop to the performance was a samoan mat, with a massive flag in
front of it and with leis, mini flags and Samoan greetings attached. Flashing
cameras and videos captured the entertaining moments of the Siva afternoon. 

Father Felise was introduced and he said a prayer to begin the celebration. 
First up were the girls dancing the Mauluulu. It was very entertaining. Then
the matai (Samoan chief), Mr Tai came forward dressed in traditional clothes
of an i’e, a type of lavalava, and without his t-shirt on, holding onto with a to’oto’o
(long stick). He gave a Samoan speech that got the crowd focused. 

Up next were the boys doing the Faakaupaki. First they went to the left side
slapping their whole body, then the right with such fast movements. It was so
cool just seeing them move and seeing how much effort they put into it. Then
they started to do a funny dance, everybody was trying to hold the laughter in,
but it just didn’t work.

Up next was Charis, a Year 8 student and his group who were performing a Sasa.
Charis warmed them up to get ready by getting them to rub their hands together
and shout out words.  Then they started clapping the floor with their hands, with
such tempo and movement. They had to do the pattern of moves three more times
but the performance went so fast.The third time was like lightning, it went so fast
I couldn’t see the moves.

Tupua, a Year 6 student performed as the manaia (solo dancer).  His body was so
shiny with oil and his skin was so smooth. He looked just like a real chief. Then
students; Christopher, Thomas, Sani and Paul  were the aiuli, whose role is to cheer
for Tupua when he’s dancing and are just extra dancers. It went pretty well and
then a lot of adults came and danced with Tupua and cheered him on.

Father started to talk about the music being too soft and about Tupua’s dancing.
Father also talked about how he just had enough and got too tired after dancing.
The way he said this,  made everyone laugh. 

What a fantastic Siva afternoon!