Little steps make big progress towards preserving culture

A call for Cook Islands cultural revival is being answered with the beat of a drum and a swing of the hips.

Two groups – the Cook Islands Development Agency and One Cooperative – have joined up to provide ‘ura’ or traditional dance classes in an effort to get future generations in touch with their roots.

Dance instructor Caroline Bishop said the classes were a long-held dream of hers.

“My main aim is to teach basic Cook Islands dancing, and to see how well our kids develop, and to introduce our culture to them. We have to keep up and make sure that our children stay interested in it,” said Miss Bishop.

Parent Theresa Karena whose three daughters attend the classes said she wanted them to learn the ura so they had some sort of cultural aspect in their lives.

“Their identity, the culture, the language and everything that I could possibly give to them that I can’t provide for them right now.”

Miss Karena said her daughters have taken a lot from the classes and that dancing is a fun way of keeping children within their roots.

“My girls always practice every day for at least half an hour, you turn the island music on and away their hips go, they’re really enjoying it.”

Response to the classes has been overwhelming, said Miss Bishop, with enthusiastic children filling the colourful space in rhythmic dance and joy.

Miss Bishop said the classes are being embraced by parents and children alike, with up to 16 girls taking part.

The classes aren’t exclusively for Cook Islands people and is open to anyone who is willing to learn, said Miss Bishop.

“We’ve had Samoans, Tongans, Indians, and Māori. We’ve got all different nationalities coming in and it’s open to anyone.”

Cook Islands Development Agency New Zealand spokesperson Janet Atai said the classes are a product from a community consultation process which started in 2009.

“The top thing the community wanted was for the language to be restored and revived, and for cultural prosperity. So we organised activities to answer what the Cook Islands community asked for,” said Miss Atai.

Miss Bishop said the dance classes are her way of giving back to the community.

“This my way of teaching the people and embracing our culture at the same time. Hopefully they take it with them and they blossom from it.”

• Classes are held at the Cook Islands Community S.H.E.D in Mangere, held every Wednesday 6.30pm-8pm. Classes cost $5 per child.