CULTIVATING FUTURES: REVIVAL OF CULTURAL MEMORY

with Galumalemana Steven Percival

10.30am to 11.30am, Friday 21 March

Free with registration

Join Galumalemana Steven Percival as he shares his 40-year journey as a researcher and advocate for Samoa’s rich natural and cultural heritage, as well as his efforts to revive ancient Samoan tools and to preserve through documentation Samoan indigenous ecological knowledge.

Steven, together with his wife Wendy – a highly accomplished multidisciplinary artist and art educator – established the Tiapapata Art Centre Inc. in Samoa over thirty years ago. Registered with the Government of Samoa as a charitable trust, this unique space for creativity and artistic innovation promotes traditional and contemporary arts and crafts.

Steven is a revivalist heritage artist, a professional photographer and videographer. A recognised researcher and advocate of Samoa’s rich natural and cultural heritage, he has built up a body of work capturing the indigenous ecological knowledge of the Samoans. With a keen interest in the impacts of globalization, he has also produced an extensive visual record in photographs and video, of the social discourses in Samoan society, exploring climate change, human rights and health.

Savalivaliga i le vao

A walk in the forest with Su’a Uilisone Fitiao
2020, film – 11mins, Producer – Vicent J. Tofilau

11am to 5pm, Friday 21 March & Saturday 22 March

Free to watch

SU’A UILISONE FITIAO is a Tufuga Ta Tatau, wood carver, and siapo maker.

Su’a Uilisone is now a Tufuga ta Tatau, a traditional Samoan Tattoo master, after working with Su’a Lafaele Suluape for almost seven years as his apprentice.

This film follows Su’a into the jungle as he explains the relationship between cultural patterns and motifs used in siapo and tatau, and how they are informed by the natural world.

The art of tattooing in Samoa, known as tatau, has a history that spans over 2000 years.

It represents a vibrant and sacred cultural tradition that has been transmitted through generations, exemplifying the resilience of Samoan cultural identity.

This practice has persisted through periods of colonisation, modernisation and globalisation, adapting to new influences while remaining devoted to its foundational principles.

Samoan tattoos serve a purpose beyond mere body art, it is considered a sacred gown with significant symbolic meaning and formatting. Although it is a personal journey, it is backed by the strength of family, of village, of heritage, cultural ties, heritage and social status.

Traditional tattooing techniques utilise hand-tapped tools and demand a profound understanding of the symbols and patterns employed in the craft.

WEAVING CIRCLE

with Aunties Cheryl & Colleen Mundy

11.30am – 2.30pm, Friday 21 March

This specialised workshop shares and celebrates traditional Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices. This dedicated learning space has been designed to bring Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander communities together. Participation is exclusively for people from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander communities.

To register please contact: info@lumiprogram.com

Learn the skills to weave small objects in this relaxed Palawa-led workshop, sharing culture and stories.
Come sit and share a yarn or two with the Aunties and get your hands busy in this introductory workshop to weaving. Surprise yourself with what you might make and share.

This intimate workshop is open to Aboriginal and Pasifika communities.

Using and sharing a mixture of natural fibres and recycled materials from local waterways, this is a special opportunity to learn from and collaborate with renowned artists and knowledge holders, Aunty Colleen & Cheryl.

RESONANCE WORKSHOP

with Natalia Mann

4pm-5pm, Friday 21 March

Free with registration

Natalia Mann is a harpist and resonance artist. Her work is contemporary and environmental, always exploring the idea, “If all the world is vibration, then everything has a song”.

As a resonance artist, she explores the languages of art and nature. This has led her to interpret paintings and sculptures, landscapes and skies on her harp. She has performed resonance music at Kickarts Gallery, Centre of Contemporary Arts, UMI Arts and Australian Galleries in Sydney.

During this workshop, Natalia will share the resonance practice she has developed over the past ten years. This practice has helped participants connect on a deeper level, discovering their inner song in harmony with trees, plants and the natural world.

Everyone is welcome, and participants will be guided through the steps of the process.

SUGA PERFORMANCES

with Grace Vanilau, Natalia Mann, Folole Tupuola and Lila Meleisea

2pm to 3.15pm, Friday 21 March
12.30pm to 1:45pm, Saturday 22 March
6pm to 7.15pm, Saturday 22 March

Tickets: $15-20

SUGA (Grace Vanilau, Natalia Mann, Folole Tupuola and Lila Meleisea) invite you to join them on a unique multi-dimensional live activation.

Through song, spoken word, music, video and dance, they celebrate and honour Samoan ancient histories, ancestors and traditions.

This performance breathes new life into the oldest Samoan siapo (bark cloth) measina/treasures, brought into the Moonah Arts Centre exhibition space from the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery.

Set within the exhibition space, audiences will immerse themselves in the SA/MOA Project’s core experience.
Each member of SUGA is a distinguished artist, and together, they have crafted this compelling new work, nurtured on the lands of the Palawa/Pakana people in Lutruwita.

ULA LOLE WORKSHOP

with the Samoan Cultural Collective

3.30pm to 4.30pm, Friday 21 March

Tickets: $15-20

Join the Samoan Cultural Collective in a joyful workshop celebrating the beloved gifting tradition of Ula Lole (OOLA-LO-LEI) or candy lei.

This hands-on workshop will teach you how to braid and decorate these contemporary garlands that are beautiful and delicious.
This modern spin on the flower lei, is gifted when attending celebrations and special occasions throughout the Pacific.

All materials are provided, including a variety of candies and chocolates, decorative ribbons and flowers to personalise your creation.

SIAPO MAKING WORKSHOP

The Living Art of Samoan Bark Cloth

with Tusolo Aumale and Reggie Meredith

10am to 12pm, Saturday 22 March

Tickets: $15-20

Tapa is a traditional bark cloth made from the inner bark of trees found in the Pacific Islands. It has a rich history and plays a central role in the culture of these islands.

In Samoa, the term for tapa is “siapo.” In this workshop, you will explore its origins, production methods, uses and design styles.

You will also learn about the differences and unique characteristics of siapo making from two distinct lineages: Siutu (Samoa: Tusolo Aumale) and Leone (American Samoa: Regina Meredith).

COCONUT CREAM & PANIPOPO WORKSHOP

with the Samoan Cultural Collective

2pm to 3.30pm, Saturday 22 March

Tickets: $15-20

Join the Samoan Cultural Collective as they share the traditional practice of making fresh coconut cream.

Learn about the traditional techniques for husking and grating coconuts, before hand-squeezing cream using natural fibres.
With the freshly squeezed coconut cream, we’ll teach you how to make our pani popo (PAN-EE-POE-POE) – pillowy soft Samoan coconut buns beloved throughout the Pacific.

ISLAND SONG SINGING WORKSHOP

11.30am to 1pm, Sunday 23 March

Free with registration

Led by respected song carriers from Palawa & Pasifika communities, join this collaborative workshop to learn three powerful songs that speak of connection to land, sea and spirit.

Through story and song, discover how music carries cultural knowledge and strengthens bonds between generations across the Pacific and Southern Ocean.

Learn the meaning behind the lyrics, their cultural context and the traditions of carrying these songs.

No matter your singing experience, this workshop is about the simple pleasure of adding your voice to others and creating connections that transcend words alone.

SIVA DANCE WORKSHOP

with Samoan Cultural Collective with Folole Tupuola

1.30pm – 3pm, Sunday 23 March

Tickets: $15

Join us for an introductory Samoan dance experience that celebrates traditional movement, community and cultural heritage.

Siva Samoa is a traditional Polynesian dance form, integral to Samoan cultural expression.

Facilitated by a collaboration between the Samoan Cultural Collective Tas and Samoan diaspora performer and activist, Folole Tupuola.

This is a gentle and inclusive workshop, guided by experienced Samoan dance practitioners.

Dance with us as we share Samoan dance techniques and storytelling movements.

All ages welcome, no prior dance experience will be required in this welcoming, introductory workshop.

UNBROKEN STRING: TRADITIONAL SHELL STRINGING

with Lola Greeno

Session 1: 2.30pm to 3.30pm
Session 2: 4pm to 5pm
Saturday 22 March

This specialised workshop shares and celebrates traditional Aboriginal cultural knowledge and practices. This dedicated learning space has been designed to bring Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander communities together. Participation is exclusively for people from Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Pacific Islander communities.

To register please contact: info@lumiprogram.com

Join treasured Tasmanian Aboriginal elder, Lola Greeno for a workshop exploring the ancient practice of shell stringing.
Lola shares stories and knowledge of this living cultural practice that connects us to land, sea and ancestry.

Learn about the seasonal rhythms of shell gathering and the patient process of selecting and preparing shells.

Under Lola’s expert guidance, discover the meticulous techniques used to create delicate shell bracelets, including traditional methods of sorting, grading and stringing that have been maintained for thousands of years.

ARTISTS IN CONVERSATION: SA/MOA

With Lila Meleisea, Grace Vanilau, Folole Asuao Tupuola, Natalia Mann, Reggie Meredith, Su’a Uilisone Fitiao, Galumalemana Steven Percival and Tusolo Aumale.

3.30pm to 5pm, Sunday 23 March

Free with registration

A unique opportunity to sit down with the SA/MOA team as they share their perspectives on environmental care and maintaining, reviving and sharing traditional practices in 21st Century.

SA/MOA by Lila Meleisea is the culmination and first expression of a 3-year project exploring Samoan indigenous knowledge systems, environmental care and creative practices, produced by Performing Lines Tasmania.

During Ten Days on the Island, Moonah Arts Centre will have the honour of housing SA/MOA, welcoming traditional makers, knowledge holders, musicians and contemporary artists travelling from around Samoa and Australia.

They will converge and take over the spaces of Moonah Arts Centre to share a multi-faceted program of cultural artforms and practices – among each other and the public – including conversations and workshops that embrace and encourage inter-cultural exchange, community-building and learning.

Plus, a unique multi-dimensional work by Suga (Grace Vanilau, Natalia Mann, Folole Tupuola and Lila Meleisea) who express through music, dance, spoken word, video and the practice of ‘Resonance’ which lies at the heart of SA/MOA.

KOKO & PANIKEKE COOKING WORKSHOP

with the Samoan Cultural Collective

5.30pm to 6.30pm, Sunday 23 March

Tickets: $15-$20

In this workshop, we will share the cultural significance and preparation of this delicious hot koko that has become an integral part of Samoan culture and lifestyle. Koko Samoa is regarded as one of richest cocao in the world. It has become a staple when visiting family or friends in Samoa, where it’s common to be welcomed with a warm cup of Koko Samoa, symbolising hospitality and community.

After we brew the Koko together, we will also teach you how to make Panikeke (PAN-EEE-KAY KAY), a delicious, deep-fried donut ball with juicy diced pineapple.

Please get in touch with us if you have any concerns or queries about dietary requirements. Koko Samoa is made from pure cacao and is vegan.