Banaban Students spread culture in dance

[Stacey King]

FijiSun Newspaper 10/11/10

Children from an island school in the North are reliving the history of their ancestors through their traditional songs and dances.

Students of the Banaban District School on Rabi Island now perform traditional dances and songs that tell the stories of their past.

The students embraced the idea of reviving their culture and identity as true Banabans.

School head teacher, Kateta Teai said children helped the elders on the island promote the Banaban culture and tradition by telling stories of their history through dances.

Mr Teai said it was important for children growing on the island to know their roots and origin.

He said students were agents of change and if it is instilled in them their sense of identity and culture will remain in them for a lifetime.

“Our children have special cultural classes where we educate them on the importance of our culture,” Mr Teai said.

“We perform at public functions because we see it as an opportunity to expose our children’s talents and the Banaban culture.”

Mr Teai said through the dances and costume, the students were able to tell the stories of their ancestors.

“They do these through the way they move while dancing, the costumes they wear, the tone of their language and songs they sing,” the head teacher said.

“We do not want our children of this generation to neglect learning their culture because it is what identifies them.”

The school promotes the Banaban culture by having special classes a week for interested students.

A group of more than 20 students were in Savusavu last weekend to showcase their talents at the Fiji National Outrigger Paddling Regatta in Savusavu.

Their presence was one way of showing to the public that their culture is alive, says Mr Teai.