FiaFia Show at Tradewinds Hotel

On Friday we went to a fiafia show at the Tradewinds hotel for our friend Lea's birthday. We all enjoyed the show. The fire dancer tried to get Trevor to come up on the stage but settled for Lea since it was her birthday.




Gavin with the girls.

Dancing

Ava ceremony. Ava or Kava is a drink made from the ground root of a pepper plant. Water is added and it makes a muddy looking, foul tasting drink. It has a sedative, muscle relaxing affect. The ava bowl has multiple legs and the hostess sits cross-legged behind the bowl showing her thigh tattoos and wearing a fancy headdress adorned with multiple mirrors. Before drinking the chiefs used to say "manuia lava" (cheers) and spill a few drops on the ground for the gods. Ava ceremonies predate Christianity.

Gavin wanted to talk to the fire dancer but was scared after he picked him up and carried him away at a fast trot to the stage. Ever since we saw the fire dance show in western Samoa he pretends fire is coming out of every sword or stick he dances with.

Lea with the dancer.

The head pieces were amazing.