The Samoa Ne’i Galo Festival kicked off with secondary schools performing traditional Samoan dances, drama performances, and speeches in front of the government building.
Samoa Ne’i Galo (Lest we forget Samoa) is aimed at ‘safeguarding culture through education,’ encouraging students to engage in and perform traditional Samoan culture.
The students performed "ma’ulu’ulu" and "sasa" dances, presented speeches, "taualuga" performed by "taupou", and "tala fa’a- Samoa" drama performances.
“Today was great. Our school is the best and we performed really well,” said Francis Lavatai, 17, of Wesley College.
“My favourite thing about the Samoan culture is the way we dance. It’s so much fun how we move.”
The Festival began with welcoming speeches from the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture, Matafeo Tanielu Aiafi.
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Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi also spoke before the before the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Le Mamea Ropati, cut the ribbon to officially open the festival.
Twelve secondary schools are participating over the three days, and yesterday Falealili College, Wesley College, Palalaua College and Aleipata College impressed their fellow pupils and audience.
The students showed no sign of nerves, just pride to be able to perform their traditional dances.
Before going on stage Rasela Poai, 16, of Aleipata College said, “I’m feeling good, we’ve had three weeks of practise and our teachers taught us.”
Tauailoto Ionatana is one of the teachers at Aleipata College responsible for organising and teaching the students the dances, and he emphasised that the students learnt all these performances in just three weeks.
Wesley College maths teacher Pologa Afoa said they selected students from the year 11 classes to be a part of the performances.
“It’s a good opportunity for them to give and to enjoy entertainment with other schools,” Ms Afoa said.
The performances continue today with Lefaga College, Avele College, St Joseph College, Samoa College and A'ana College taking to the stage.
The festival will finish tomorrow with Leifiifi College, Sagaga College and A'ana College performing in the morning, before the prize giving in the afternoon.
The top award is first place in the Ma’ulu’ulu dance and the Sasa dance, both with a prize of $2,000, as well as trophy's for the winners of traditional entertainment, Tala Fa'aSamoa and Best Lauga categories.
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