Rio Hondo College Division of Arts, Business, and Cultural Programs hosted the Tahitian dance group Te Aho Nui on March 18. The Te Aho Nui group is a Polynesian entertainment group who represent Tahitian dance, Hawaiian hula and so much more. Through their dance, this extraordinary group of individuals were able to tell stories and represent their culture. The immersive and entertaining performance allowed the audience to take an inside look at their culture. The visuals and explanations of dance allowed viewers to take a closer look into the true meaning of this beautiful form of art through dance.
Te Aho Nui was able to tell stories through their dancing, each move representing a part of a story. Bringing up participants from the audience allowed individuals to have a better understanding of what they are trying to communicate through dance. The explanation of each gesture allows dancers to truly understand and feel the story they are attempting to get across. The intricate movements of the hands and hips show their gratitude for their food, ocean, culture etc…
Leolani Gallardo, a member and instructor of Te Aho Nui, expressed her gratitude for being able to be a representation of her culture, “It is such an honor. Any situation when anyone’s, especially a school setting like this academia, I’m honored you want to dance with us. This is why we do what we do, we want to share, spread the culture, perpetuate the culture and educate the youth.” Representation, especially today, is crucial for individuals of different cultures to feel seen and included. No one of any culture should feel hidden, therefore this event showed the beauty of both Tahitian and Hawaiian cultures through dance. Gallardo recognizes this and is a prime example of someone dedicated to spreading the joys of her culture.
When asked how she feels carrying on her legacy, Gallardo shared, “I feel a huge responsibility because technically, I’m Filipino-Hawaiian descent. We shared a little bit of Hawaiian hula today, but I am not Maori and we did dances from New Zealand, and I am not Tahitian and we did Tahitian dances from Tahiti. So, having lots of friends from the islands, we are always trying to represent the culture with respect and humility in the best possible ways we can because we are not Tahitian.” Gallardo clearly states she is not of the same culture some of the dances showcased descended from; however that does not stop the group from incorporating their culture through dance.
Dance is an art form that can tell many stories, both personal and historical, and that is exactly what this exceptional group of dancers does. Though there originally was a small group of individuals at the start of the performance, the sound of their music brought individuals together to enjoy this dance. Each member of the group is immersed in their dancing, and their love for their culture is shown through their passion for dance.
If you or anyone close to you are interested in being part of this outstanding form of representation, Te Aho Nui offers dance lessons both in person and virtually. The enrollment for their Spring Quarter classes is open from March 24-April 12. If you would like to find out more about Te Aho Nui you can visit their website, www.teahnonui.com
