It was super crowded back in the village at the dance stage. We had trouble finding a good seat, so we sat at the back. It was almost like having a backstage pass! The groups passed right in front of us to go on stage. First up was host island, Tahuata.
The other dancers were sitting/standing right at the front of the stage, so they could watch the other dancers.
Two kids, who's moms were probably up dancing were mimicking the dancers back stage with us. So cute!
The ladies were getting their groove on. I loved that purple outfit!
Sometimes they faced backwards and we could see their faces.
Now it's the men's turn.
Then they all sat down and the girl in purple did her “bird dance”. Wow!
Now they are all hooping it up.
The man in the middle without the grass on his shoulders, showing his tattoo, is the one who is the troop leader. Notice he has black leg dresses where the others have white.
The crowd was intently watching, while the TV channel had several cameras placed all around.
Remember the dance with the paddles we saw them practicing the week before, well here we go, paddles and all!
And the girls are swinging their hips, Marquesan style!
As the group came off the stage, the TV channel guy came over to find the right ones to interview.
Our friend Tahina's nephew, who we had met in Hapatoni back on my birthday. His son is the new dance leader and he is watching, while holding his grandson.
Our friend, David, the carver from Hapatoni, coming off the stage.
Three generations of dancers! And one proud poppa!
Next on stage is the Ua Poa group. This guy had it goin on with his bird dance.
It was quite hard to get good photos of the dancers, A, from behind and B with the lights in our faces, and C the dancer move around fast!
The rest of the men from Ua Poa get ready to go on stage.
They all had the yellow died tapa material for coverings, and I am not sure if they wore anything underneath?!?!
Moving fast!
Now the women (Vahinies) move in to shake their hips! Also in orangey yellow outfits.
Sweating, coming off stage.
Each group has their own drummers and drums of course.
Third group of the night is Nuku Hiva, marching in from the front of the stage carrying all sorts of props. The one guy's tattoo, makes his nipple look like an eye! But I think his face is just painted.
That is a huge boar's tusk necklace!
Those are real tattoos!
Up on stage they go!
These girls have excited nervous laughter before going up to dance for us.
Woah!, these guys brought a huge Tiki for their dance!
One of the prop, ceremonial clubs.
Some of the men wore them on their backs.
The costumes are great and again the tattoos....
I know this is Nuku Hiva, because there is the intense guy blowing his Triton Shell horn.
The chief, in his feathered cover up, calls out to the crowd.
The dancers begin their moves.
One guy has a different orange tapa cloth cover on.
The dancers sit and the chief inspects the troops.
They begin loud chanting as the big wooden Tiki watches.
The most buff guys, pick up the Tiki and carry him to the front of the stage on a big bamboo litter.
Now they are shaking their bamboo sticks with coconuts tied to each end, swinging them around over their shoulders.
The feathered chief watches as the dancers move away and the Tiki stares at the crowd.
I just noticed the wiry horn blower has on his skull belt, which I remember from when we were up in Nuku Hiva.
The chief stands in the back by the drummers and turns green in the spot light, looking like a ghost!
OMG! That guy's but cheek is staring back at me!
The men are seriously going tribal, dancing and flinging around.
The Nuku Hiva bird dance girls strutting their stuff.
These guys are way intense!!
The guy in the orange tapa swings around his stick.
And the crowd seems to be enjoying the show. I know we did even from back stage! It has been a full day! And amazingly enough we made it back to our boats over in Hapatoni in the launch with the finicky outboard.
No comments:
Post a Comment