Potter Temalesi Moses demonstrates how to mould a traditional clay bowl
designs on them drawn with a sharp pointed stick before being baked on the fire. They jump about, screaming and thrusting their spears to every beat of the lizard skin-covered kundu drums. The sweet aroma of locally-produced coconut oil permeates the air from where it has been smeared on the bodies of the dancers, including bare-breasted girls with beautiful tribal tattoo designs on their faces, swaying in grass skirts made from dried opportunities to explore the island itself, which is positioning itself to be added as a cruise ship tourist destination due to its many attractions: coral reefs on the coconut fibre. There are also doorstep teeming with colourful tropical fish for snorkellers to enjoy, white sandy beaches with swaying coconut palms, and a myriad of limestone caves. Young local tour guide Herry Edward “Attached to the boys’ waists are dried pandanus leaves that they call ‘tapa’, designs on them drawn with a sharp pointed stick before being baked on the fire”
music and storytelling sessions, workshops for visitors to learn canoe-building and sailing techniques, and demonstrations
of traditional clay-pot moulding featuring distinctive wave designs. Everywhere in the festival can be found
friendly locals and excited children, their faces painted. Attached to the boys’ waists are dried pandanus leaves that they call ‘tapa’,
Little boys dressed in pandanus leaves prepare to dance in the festival program
VOLUME 39 2024
36
Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog