Cultural excellence at full display during OCACPS new production: SINA

By Dwayne Mahimkar

The University of the South Pacific highlighted Samoan and Fijian excellence in two full-house recitals of SINA on 7^th and 8^th August at the Japan ICT Centre.

The Oceania Centre for Arts, Culture, and Pacific Studies (OCACPS) put together a large-scale theatre production that celebrates Pacific culture, and storytelling. They have held two shows on the 7^th and 8^th of August at the Japan ICT Centre, in-front of sold-out audiences in both nights.

The creative mind behind the production, Ateca Ravuvu, gave a rundown of the production the day before the opening night.

“It is a contemporary retelling of the well-known Pacific legend of ‘Sina and the Eel’, which is one that is told in many schools about how the coconut tree came to the Pacific” said Ateca.

Laisenia Qarase in his role as Tui Fiti (The Eel).

She further stated that during her research for the production, there have been varied depictions of the legend throughout the region.

“We are familiar with the Samoan, and Fijian version of the legend, and I found out that there are some versions which are very dark and straightforward” said Ateca.

For this productions, she has taken certain elements from the various plots of the legend from the Pacific and meld them all into one masterpiece.

According to OCACPS, the production marks the return of the Oceania Dance Theatre (ODT), and Pasifika Voices (PV) after a six-year hiatus. It also marks the debut of the Oceania Dance Academy (ODA) here in USP.

Pasefika Voices performing during the final night of SINA.

The project has been in the books since last year, and Ateca made mention that the production was supposed to be done that year but has been pushed forward to this year.

This production also brings forward performers from both Fiji and Samoa. Among them is the lead actress, Lia Daunakamakama, who plays the titular character.

Lia herself is half-Fijian and Samoan, hailing from the island of Bau, and her grandparents are from Samoa; from the villages Salelologa, Savaii; and Letogo in Upolu.

“It is definitely a privilege; I haven’t gotten this opportunity because I usually show my Fijian side so it is exciting” said the lead actress.

Left to Right: Noel Matai’a, La Prael Afamasaga, Jethro Fasala (Rotuman; playing Mateu), Kyla Misi, Karen Talo, and Miracle Elia.

Among the ensemble were five Samoan students who study at USP, and are also part of the Samoan Students Association; they are Kyla Misi, La Prael Afamasaga, Miracle Elia, Karen Talo, and Noel Matai’a.

This was their first time performing in a theatrical production, and they simultaneously serve as cultural consultants for the production’s Samoan aspects.

According to OCACPS director, Dr Katrina Igglesden, the production not only marks the return of large-scale theatre; it is also a tribute to the founding director of OCACPS the late Epeli Hau’ofa. The project also pays homage to Samoan choreographer and pioneer, the late Seiuli Allan Alo; who curated the original production of Sina and the Eel in 2001.