A Weekend of ‘mana’, pulsating, act

Highland Paradise is hidden high up in the west side mountains of Arorangi. The place felt like it had so much ‘mana’ and I am glad to have been given the opportunity to experience Highland Paradise’s island night on Friday 6 August. The place and how it presents itself depicts how we were, what we are and what we will be, if we continue to ‘akaepaepa’ our cultural traditions. A meitaki maata to Teuira and your team of energetic people for a wonderful night had in Tinomana territory.
Come Saturday 7 August, I decided that the National Auditorium was the place to be for this years ‘tangi kaara’ drumming competition. Six teams beat it out on their drums for the prestigious prize. However, last year’s winners Papa Ioaba and his fanau from Te Fuinga o Niva went away again with this year’s prize. Everyone will agree that the northern group islands pulsating beats are not one to miss. The set up of how many instruments they had on the day is a wonder the crowd wowed them on and some just could not resist but dance to their victory.
Then on Sunday 8 I caught up with a group of seven cast members who have been rehearsing a play in honour of Papa Ron Crocombe. This act will take place on Friday 13 August at 1.30pm at the USP Centre in Avarua. The story “On the road…going home… “is quite the extraordinary one, where you can relate it to Papa Ron himself.

By Apii Napa

Herald Issue 463 10 June
- World famous activist assisting residents
- Budget will decide if residents prosecute Government over landfill
- Forestry project sucking Mangaia dry
- Budget 2010 – fiasco or disaster?