“Feiloa’i i I’u o Gafa”
Connect in the Next Generation
16th Annual Tafesilafa’i Festivals celebrate the
thoughts, art and culture of
California's Pacific Islander Communities
There is something for everyone at Tafesilafa’i. This
year’s 16th annual festival is no exception. The week long
celebration of cultural diversity among Pacific Islanders starts
July 29 and ends August 5, 2011. Admission to the Festival
is FREE and your attendance will secure you a discounted
admission to the Aquarium; participating youth groups will be
given special tickets to the Aquarium and there will be other
fun things to do in Long Beach that week. Please carpool.
Paid parking is available at nearby parking structures and
metered parking at the Marina. FREE shuttles are available
from nearby churches, METRO lines and hotels. Discounted
hotel accommodations are available throughout the city.
Last year we recorded over 28,000 visitors during the last 4
days of Tafesilafa’i.
Tafesilafa’i started in 1997 as a conversation about meaning
making in the Pacific Islander community. It has now grown
into a platform where ways of being in communities in California
are examined. The Festival is an integration of
indigenous, cultural, and religious values in ways that
accentuate the importance of family, community, and others.
These values are expressed through music, dances, narratives,
and rituals. Participants in Tafesilafa’i deepen their faith,
hone their talents, and heighten their cultural awareness as
they share with others, reaffirming respect for God, family,
self and the greater community.
This year’s theme “Feiloa’i i I’u o Gafa” underscores the
importance of connecting our relationships now to the next
generation to come. It is the realization of this
connection that forms a meaningful and healthy community.
Many events will be in the evening so bring a light sweater or a
jacket, bring your friends and come spend a few days with us
around the water.
Tafesilafa’i starts Sunday July
29th with family centering. Each family puts on their family
“toniga” or uniform and attends service at their place of
worship. Uniform is a sign of solidarity and, when found in
community, signifies diversity. After centering, each family is
encouraged to brunch together or accept an invitation to brunch
with others. See
Tafesilafai Family Sunday Schedule
Monday July 30th is the 24 hour prayer
marathon, where prayers, thoughts and petitions, gathered
throughout the year, are sounded off and prayed for at each
participating place of worship. Many pray for the Festival to go
well and that it results in meaningful connections throughout
the PI Community. Each prayer warrior signs up for 30
minute prayer sessions at Second Samoan Congregational Church.
Tuesday July 31st finds us wrapping up the
prayer marathon and candlelight vigil as youth groups put the
finishing touches on their dances, songs, performances and
cultural sharing.
Wednesday August 1st is friend-raising and set
up day at the Aquarium of the Pacific. The tents are raised, the
stage is put together, the booths and sinks are hooked up, the
“umu” is put in place and the decoration set. In the afternoon,
the community is afforded an opportunity to hear from a leader
about their faith journey to success.
Thursday August 2nd the drums start beating
around the lunch hour. After the Aquarium closes, visitors
will be treated to authentic island dance performances. Each
group puts on authentic island performances in their unique
vernacular. You can purchase authentic island products,
experience unique island performances, songs and dances, take
part in preparing island cuisines in an above ground "umu" and
experience island spirituality. This year FireKnife of
Samoa is offering the Keeper of the Flame workshop where your
kids can learn how to twirl the “nifo ‘oti” and become a Keeper
of the Flame.
Friday August 3rd when the sun begins to set,
another group of performers take the stage to share their ideas
of what it means to be authentic, cathartic and alive. Your
children will have the opportunity, to sleep with the fish at
the Aquarium Friday night. The necessary enrollment forms are
available on line. Download the application here (link to the
sleep with the fish application)
On Saturday August 4th, you will experience
island rituals and an “ava” ceremony early Saturday morning.
Dances, songs, talent exhibitions and games follow, or you can
walk the beach, take a catamaran out to the bay. Spend the
entire day near the water, retiring to your hotel room
exhausted, tanned and relaxed. The Keepers of the Flame
will be performing for the audience.
The Grand Luau on Saturday evening will serve as the only
fundraiser for Tafesilafa’i this year and the net proceeds will
be distributed to the community for capacity building.
Sunday August 5th opens with community
centering at 11am followed by “toona’i” or community meal,
spiritual dances, performances, songs and praise hymns from the
community until late afternoon.
