Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week display at Tūranga

Kam na bam ni Mauri!  During Wikin te Taetae ni Kiribati - Kiribati Language Week we had a display in the Pasifika area of Tūranga, featuring a striking Kiribati male dancer costume. He is wearing a Te tai (headdress), a Te tiri ni mao (neck garland), a Te ramane (sash) across the body, Te kabae ( a male dance mat) wrapped around his waist and secured by Te nuota (a male dance belt). Te nuota are traditionally woven from the hair of the dancer’s female relatives.

Dancing is an important form of storytelling in Kiribati culture. Kiribati dancing has distinct movements that mimic the flight of a bird. Arms held outstretched and with quick head movements the dancer is like Te eitei, a frigate bird soaring above the ocean. The birds represent power, freedom, and peace. Te eitei also represent connection to traditional Kiribati ways of life. Their presence is used in ocean navigation and the reading of the weather by fishermen and seafarers. Te eitei are such an important symbol, one can even be found on the Kiribati national flag.

Also on display was traditional Te Uu Rabono, an eel trap, and an example of fine Kiribati weaving.

Kam rabwa, many thanks, to the members from the Christchurch Kiribati Community who kindly loaned us the dancing costume and cultural items to display in Tūranga.