Whilst collecting Birthday emails, we overheard a conversation from some Samoan athletes who are here participating in the Pacific Mini-games, that there had been a large earthquake near Samoa and people had died. [click to continue...]
September 2009
It just happened that one of the exponents of Cook Island drumming was doing a workshop that I was able to sit in on. Dr. Jon Tikivanotau Jonassen, a Rarotongan by birth, who has toured internationally with the famous Betela Dance Troupe. He has developed a unique way of notating the rhythms from the Cook Islands. It was wonderful to meet him and hear his perspective on drumming Pacific style. Below is an example of the unique Cook Island playing.
Check out more pictures/video …… [click to continue...]
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In the age of computer generated music and technology, it is exciting to hear about the resurgence of traditional instruments. The vivo, a high pitched nose flute, which was widely used in pre-missionary Polynesia, is having a bit of a revival. The Ministry of Cultural Development in the Cook Islands has organised workshops and had 1500 vivo made on the island of Mangaia, where the bamboo used for the instrument grows naturally.
Thoughts – [click to continue...]
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It’s staggering to realise the vastness of the area where we have come to. 15 small islands, yet situated in 2 million square miles of Pacific ocean – yes, can you believe it, an area about the size of western Europe. [click to continue...]
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“A culture cannot be learned from a textbook. True understanding and appreciation are possible only from first-hand experience.” Hiwi and Pat Tauroa.
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There have been two films (that reached the UK) that have given us a little insight into Maori culture in the last 20 years, “Once were warriors” and “Whale rider”. So it was fascinating to see the small rural community where whalerider was filmed. [click to continue...]
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