Dance and Music from the Torres Strait Islands

The East-West Center presents a special free performance of the dynamic dance and music traditions of the Torres Strait Islands (TSI), featuring the Ariw Poenipan Cultural Group. The performance take place on Saturday, Nov. 14, 8-9:15 p.m. at the Center’s Imin Center-Jefferson Hall.

Traditional dance is one of the major forms of creative expression in the Torres Strait Islands (TSI), located in the body of water that is Australia’s most northern frontier, separating the northern tip of the Australian state of Queensland and the nation of Papua New Guinea. The dances feature striking traditional and contemporary dance accoutrements, or “dance machines,” including hand-held mechanical objects and elaborate moving headdresses known as zamiyakal in one of the TSI languages.

Fourteen members of the TSI-based Ariw Poenipan Cultural Group will present this special free performance, along with educational outreach on O‘ahu and Moloka‘i, in connection with an exhibition of TSI dance accoutrements on display at the East-West Center Gallery through Jan. 3. The group’s name refers to the electrifying lightning that pierces the rain, and the echoing thunder of the monsoon season. Led by Jeff Aniba-Waia, the ensemble focuses primarily on the traditions of Saibai Island. Ariw Poenipan is noted within the TSI for its authenticity, and has toured and performed extensively throughout the Pacific.

The exhibition and performances are generously supported by the Torres Strait Regional Authority.

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About the Torres Strait Islands There are more than 200 islands scattered throughout the Torres Strait, of which 17 are inhabited. The total population is approximately 8,000 people, the majority of whom are the indigenous peoples of the islands. They are Melanesians, historically and culturally connected to the coastal peoples of Papua New Guinea. The Torres Strait is 150 kilometers across and joins the Coral Sea to the east with the Arafura Sea to the west.

Each clan and each island group has its own unique performance styles passed down from generation to generation. In addition, each dance group continues its array of unique dance machines, musical instruments, costumes and repertoire. Language, songs, instruments and costumes, as well as the dance machines, all combine to form a TSI performance tradition unique in the world.

FOR MORE DETAILED BACKGROUND INFORMATION on Torres Strait Island dance traditions, download a pdf brochure at:
http://arts.eastwestcenter.org/pdfs/TorresHandoutHR.pdf

For further information: 944-7584, http://arts.EastWestCenter.org

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The East-West Center is an education and research organization established by the U.S. Congress in 1960 to strengthen relations and understanding among the peoples and nations of Asia, the Pacific, and the United States. The Center contributes to a peaceful, prosperous, and just Asia Pacific community by serving as a vigorous hub for cooperative research, education, and dialogue on critical issues of common concern to the Asia Pacific region and the United States. Funding for the Center comes from the U.S. government, with additional support provided by private agencies, individuals, foundations, corporations, and the governments of the region.

For 25 years the EWC Arts Program has enriched the community through concerts, lectures, symposia, and exhibitions focusing on traditional arts of the region, and by arranged cultural and educational tours by artists who are skilled in bridging cultures.

Event Sponsor
Arts Program, East-West Center, Manoa Campus

More Information
944-7584, http://arts.EastWestCenter.org, Torres Strait pdf flyer (PDF)

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