Siva Afi – A Pathway for Young People

The Siva Afi Workshop Programme - A pathway for young people to create their own successes, resilience and knowledge.

Open to all ages from 5= and welcoming everyone the community to come and learn the traditional Samoan Siva Afi (fire knife dance) and Siva Afi Drumming, our workshops see young people gain knowledge of traditional artforms and build their self-confidence. Thanks to our talented tutors: Natalie Toevai, Amo Ieriko, Rain Te’o, Tai Temanu, Mani Sumeo.

The ambition of the workshop programme is that young people will build-up the skill and confidence in the Siva Afi artform with as much determination and commitment as their Hip Hop and Kapa Haka counterparts. To build their knowledge of traditional Pacific cultural forms in a contemporary context.

​​​The Siva Afi programme is offered each Term in three locations across Tamaki Makarau; Onehunga, Māngere, New Lynn. It’s run as a series of 8 workshops in each location.

It costs up to $5000 per workshop series. A total of $15,000 for a Term. We are reaching out to you all, to help us raise $10,000 from our X MOANA campaign, to cover fees for our tutors and equipment to be used by each participant.

Term 1 of 2023 is just around the corner, let's do this together! Whether you're donating a simple and effective $5, $20 or $200 – you’ll join us in providing a pathway for young people to create their own successes, resilience and knowledge. LET'S LIGHT IT UP!!! Whatever donation level choose, you can be sure that our tutors and students are grateful for your support.

OUR TEAM:

Workshop Producer

Amo Ieriko, creator of the Siva Afi workshop programme.

Amo Ieriko is a creative visionary with a lifelong passion for his Samoan cultural heritage and commitment to presenting the Pacific arts to all audiences. Amo is renowned for strengthening existing programmes and for his foresight to open new avenues for further growth and relationships within the arts community.

Tutors & Admin

Mani Sumeo (Samoa) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Tai Temanu (Cook Islands) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Helen Pritchard (Samoa) - Drumming Tutor.
Portia Meredith-Numia (Samoa/ NZ) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Marcelo Reyes-Tokuma (Samoa/ Peru) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Grace Sione (Samoa) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Suni Aunese White (Samoa/ NZ) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Micah Papalii (Tonga/ Samoa) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Natalie Toevai (Samoa) - Samoan Siva Expert & Siva Afi Tutor.
Rain Tei (Samoa/ Te Rarawa) - Siva Afi Tutor.
Matalena Tulisi (Samoa) - Workshop Admin.
Pa Tulisi (Niue) - Workshop Assistant.
Maile Giffin (Hawaii) - Workshop Registrations.

TahiMana Polynesian Fire Warriors - making of "practice sticks", "fire sticks", "tin drums"

Supporters & Collaborators

Aktive Zone (New Lynn)
Māngere Town Centre
Siva Afi West
Wahine Toa Siva Afi (WTSA) Drumline
Sau E Siva West

In-kind Support.

Aktive Zone - venue.
TahiMana Juniors – volunteers
Vanessa Blakely - towels for our practice & fire sticks.
Mangere Town Centre - venue

Global Networks

Ikaika Hafoka (Colorado)
David Galeai (Hawaii)
Siva Afi Entertainment (Samoa)
Justyce Edmonds (Sydney)
Siva Afi Worldwide (Online Network)
Rex Tiumalu (Florida)
Troy Tumai (Cook Islands)