“Before I joined, I wasn’t really dancing much, only on special occasions. And I wasn’t speaking much of my language, but now it’s a consistent thing” – Student Jamima Aviu
For as long as he can remember, Timoara Tonganibeia has always had a love of dance.
It has been his escape from the world, and an art form that’s helped shape and tell his story.
Rooted in his Kiribati culture, that emphasis on dance is focused with the Marewen Kiribati Youth (MKY) Group, where he tutors and teaches Kiribati dancing to young people.
It’s a role, he says, he was destined for.
“I always looked up to my older brothers that led the group before me. The way they run things back when I was younger, I always look up and be like, hopefully I will be like them,” Timoara says.
“They were really strict on me. But you know it was just for the best.”
These days, Timoara teaches more than 30 students who are all learning their culture and language. This year they featured at the Pacific Dance Festival, which focused mainly on Auckland’s smaller islands and cultures. It was an opportunity that Timoara and MKY took with open arms.
“Last year we only managed to get like 17 or 16 kids together. And as soon as we did our July performance, it kinda like inspired the others,” he says.
“A lot of them didn’t know they loved dancing until they tried and gave it a go. And with our rehearsals like, we’re always trying to encourage them, you know. Even if you never danced before, just give it a go. You will never know!”
Marewen was originally set out as a community group, these days it focuses on the youth hoping to grow the culture and language through them.
Chairman of the group, Kaimanga Tenanoa is fully on board with utilising the young ones through their dance and performances.
“Yes, it is very important for our youth to maintain our culture and our customs. Our children are growing up here in New Zealand and we don’t want them to lose their culture,” Tenanoa says.
“These are our college and intermediate students. Our dance group also includes younger children still in their car seats. As Chairman of Marewen Kiribati, I want to ensure we continue supporting our youth as they preserve and carry forward our culture.”
High school student and dancer Jamima Aviu says being part of the group has been big in terms of gaining confidence.
“Before I joined, I wasn’t really dancing much, only on special occasions. And I wasn’t speaking much of my language, but now it’s a consistent thing,” she says.
“It’s really fun, especially growing relationships with people I didn’t know before, and just being able to connect with other Kiribati youth as well.”
As the group begins to grow and gain more traction Timoara hopes it can be the spark for more initiatives to help Kiribati language grow.
“There’s so many ways to reconnect with our culture. Either go through your parents or ask them to help you through those things,” Timoara says.
“Or even just come to us; come to Marewen Kiribati Youth. We’re always open to youth just to bring everyone back in and to teach.”
