Tautua Dance Academy showcases Samoan culture at fire knife competition in Australia

Tautua Dance Academy, founded in 2016, promotes Samoan performing arts among youth in Wellington. Initially focused on Siva Samoa, the academy expanded in 2022 to include Siva Afi, or fire knife dancing, to enhance cultural identity and artistic expression. Recently, the academy participated in the Toa Ole Afi Pati Levasa fire knife competition in Australia, marking a significant milestone. Five dancers represented Tautua Dance, with Japhia Gagamoe earning third place in the junior female category. Co-director Jayden Luapo highlighted the experience as eye-opening for students, many of whom traveled abroad for the first time. He aims to show that performing arts can be a viable career, encouraging students to embrace their cultural heritage.