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Aloha kakahiaka MIP Ohana. Good evening MIP family...This is Merrie Monarch time of the year and the time for hula competition with hula groups from all over coming into my town to show off their dancing skills and very very colorful attire. It's both Women and Men groups and this is the 50th year of it. Merrie Monarch is the nickname for one of our past Kings...Kalakaua who loved and embraced our cultural arts. The competition is over 4 days with the 1st day selecting one woman (wahine) dancer as "Queen" for the year and then the 2nd night, tonight is the ancient form...Kahiko where they dance to chants and drums and other sound instruments. Tomorrow night is Auwana night where it will be more musical and flowing and still very colorful. So I just took a few mintues or so off cause I always check in with family and now another mans' groups gonna dance...It is streamed world wide and if you might care to check out "Merrie Monarch Festival" and I hope you enjoy. It will take your mind off of the alcoholic. LOL (((((hugs)))))
Hi Jerry, thank you for this - I enjoyed the four video clips I viewed so far, no time for more right now though. The first brought an emotional response and tears in my eyes, I think its because I envy those who have such a cultural history, heck, our cultural history is barbeques, nascar, super bowl and tailgate parties! One of my jobs has me in close contact with a local cultural group and I envy them their heritage, big family trees, big family get-to-gethers, lots of deep historical past. Cheers!
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I am strong in the broken places. ~ Unknown
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another! ~ Anatole France
I love the culture talks we have Jerry... some peoples have a reputation for drinking and fighting. The Irish are one. This is a culture that gave us the book "Angela's Ashes".
In my native culture they have an Eisteddfod. They have them, and other events in the USA and Canada too. Our Welsh people were deeply Calvinistic and I sometimes envy the Irish- especially for their deep sense of humour.
Here in NZ I practise the local culture, where I can. I know how to cook underground, and can sing and pray in Maori. My taid was a native speaker of Welsh, and this is how I honour him, by honouring others around me.
Being a member of a certain people and culture can be a source of shame for some. And sometimes this can be one of the many things that contribute towards addiction. My culture did not impact much for me, but most of my family were shorties, and this again, was another source of shame.
I was a runt until the age of 18. Then i grew to six feet!. My red hair was a source of shame... oh my! the list of things that pull us down seem to be endless!
In my family home we had radio only. I recall my father once hearing an opera singer on the programme- "turn that screaming b**** off!" Sadly in my home there were regular 'parties' but there was never any singing, or any fun. In fact it was supposed to be a relaxation and a fun thing! I think I saw through all that from a young age!
I do love to sing, hum and whistle. And as you can see- I also love conversation!
The next big event here, on the Calendar in NZ is Anzac Day. Both NZ and Oz celebrate our great defeat at Gallipoli. it is very traditional and quite sombre. I trek along most years and wear my grandfather's military cross...
There is a time for joy, and a time for mourning. Our iwi Maori do both superbly.
To see you there, your mokapuna [grandchildren] is a great thing-
Ho`omaika`i David (Blessings)...Hawaiian was the very first sense I had and at times it made me feel different than my european portugese family. I know nothing about portugese except that my relatives are it. As you can see frm the Merrie Monarch Festival the language, dance, music and beauty is an everyday thing. I also pray in chant and while I no longer have the facility to sing the music, play it or even hear it like I use to when I was younger I still have hope that Akua (HP) will gift me again with it. This is a spiritual culture very interlocked with creation and very attached to our aumakua...our ancestors. Malama Pono...Take care. ((((hugs))))
Speaking of our cultures, when I saw the festival on youtube the other day, I thought now that;s our culture too. Beyond we're all people, I thought that's part of my country. I wonder what else can move me. The connectedness I feel HERE sustains me. Thank you all.
