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Playing with fire takes on a whole new meaning for a group of young Aucklanders set to take on some of the Pacific region’s best siva afi performers — fire knife dancers.
TahiMana member Lennon Meredith-Numia prepares to perform
TahiMana member Lennon Meredith-Numia prepares to perform
The TahiMana fire dancers are heading to Samoa next month to take part in this year’s siva afi competition during the annual Teuila Festival in the island nation’s capital city, Apia.
The group, based in West Auckland, is made up of mostly young performers who start learning the practice of ailao — when a stick is twirled and thrown into the air — as young as 5 years old.
As their skills progress, the next element is added — fire.
Marcelo Reyes-Tokuma
Marcelo Reyes-Tokuma
Marcelo Reyes-Tokuma has been doing siva afi since he was about 7 years old and has performed at events and schools over the years. It has even taken him to Hawaii.
“Siva afi is a very beautiful dance when performed correctly.
“Over my six years of burning with siva afi, I have got a couple of injuries because it is really a risky dance. You’re performing with fire, gasoline can get into your eye [and you can get] cuts.
“But it just comes with it. You have to understand that that’s what you give in order to perform this dance.”
Siva afi originates from ancient times and uses what is known as a nifo oti — a machete-like knife with a hook at the end. It is often seen used in cultural Samoan dances.
The TahiMana group can sometimes be found practising their craft outdoors in public — and always draw a crowd as they carry out complicated spins and twirls as the flames turn into a blur of fiery orange and red.
TahiMana members Marcelo Reyes-Tokuma, left, and Suni Aunese
TahiMana members Marcelo Reyes-Tokuma, left, and Suni Aunese
Reyes-Tokuma acknowledges that another huge reason for picking up siva afi was representation of his heritage and cultural pride as a young Samoan growing up in New Zealand.
“We’re able to use siva afi to show that to everyone and I’m really grateful for that.”
Art director, choreographer and an original member of the group, Amo Tauanu’u Ieriko, says these days, many of the parents are heavily involved in helping the group.
Some take care of first aid and fire safety procedures necessary at different events the group performs at. Others help to make costumes; while others are drummers.
He speaks about the safety requirements needed when performing in public and the measures they take to ensure a fire can easily be put out or first aid can be given quickly.
TahiMana crew member doses the fire sticks with a mixture of 91 unleaded and Shellite before their indoor performance
TahiMana crew member doses the fire sticks with a mixture of 91 unleaded and Shellite before their indoor performance
“One of the other things in putting out flames — because of the nature of our performance and what we use — we’ve found that the fire blankets, although great, it’s not as quick as your simple bath towel that’s been [soaked] in water.
“That is so quick to put out the flame using that.”
Even the youngest of performers — as well as parents — goes through an educational programme to learn about safe practices while performing with fire.
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