BY INDY MAEALASIA
The Sikaiana community based at Red Beach have opened their doors to local media yesterday, offering a rare glimpse into their Polynesian heritage.
The cultural showcase featured traditional communal activities such as weaving, preparation of local delicacies, chanting, singing, dancing, and many other activities.
Village priest and tour guide, Erick Tavaiola said the purpose of hosting such showcases is to protect their traditions, especially as younger generations become increasingly disconnected from their roots.
“I’d say it’s 50/50, half of them show interest, the other half, less so. But we’re trying to attract them, nurture their minds to understand the importance of our culture,” Tavaiola said.
He said it is concerning that the younger generation no longer have the traditional knowledge and skills, particularly in areas like canoe making.
“We’ve already lost things — like the outrigger canoe. So, you can see how important it is to keep our culture alive, before more of it disappears,” he said.
Tavaiola explained that by establishing a cultural village within the community and occasionally hosting such cultural showcases, they are working to ensure these skills and practices are kept alive.
The community’s revival efforts have received praise from Professor Willaim Donner, an American anthropologist from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania, who has conducted extensive work documenting Sikaiana’s language and customs.
“I’m very impressed with what has been set up here,” said Donner, who attended the cultural event.
“It’s really good what they’ve presented,” he added.
The Sikaiana people are of Polynesian origin, originating from Sikaiana Atoll, a remote outlier located off the coast of Malaita Province.
According to community elders, they began settling in at Red Beach area in the 1960s to gain access to education and other essential services that were not on the remote atoll.
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