Blog — ailao

This year, we are taking a big step for Samoan cultural arts in Australia. We are producing Tuna & Fata Ailao Production, a special performance that will be the first of its kind in Melbourne. Ailao is an important part of Samoan culture, and we are excited to create a performance that celebrates our culture, movement, storytelling and traditions. This project is very special to us because it is not something we have done before. We received the Wyndham Arts Grant 2026 We are very grateful to be recipients of the Wyndham Arts Grant 2026. This grant has helped us purchase...

If you are a Siva Afi (fire knife dance) performer you are going to want to know how to tie a lavalava. A lavalava is known as a pareo or sarong in other places.  In Samoa it is called a lavalava, ie lavalava or just an ie.  It is the material that is used as clothing and wrapped around the waist or body. Siva Afi performers use them in their performances as it was traditionally used by our warriors when they went to war. For those of you who don't know siva afi is an adaptation of the ailao, a...

We are holding our first ever ailao competition.  We chose ailao as there is NO FIRE, so beginners are able to build their confidence and creativity. Samoan warriors performed the ailao after battle to show their community how they won over their opponents.  The spectacular movements and exciting throwing of war clubs are what we see today in Siva Afi performances.  The difference is the addition of fire and when it is performed. Here are the details of our Ailao competition: 1. Complete the routine - watch the video for the short routine to be completed by all entrants 2. Add 15...