The Cook Islands Polynesian Dancers
High energy, speed and vibrancy are one of the spectacular aspects of Cook Islander drumming and dance culture. This contrasts with the more slower and circular traditional dance forms from neighboring Polynesian Islands such as Hawaii, Tahiti, Tonga and Samoa.
The Cook Islands Polynesian Dancers, one of Australia’s foremost Polynesian cultural dance groups, have been a highlight of major festivals, both here and overseas since forming in 1989. Most recently, the group featured at the Arte Vida Festival, Kentucky, USA and the Sarawak Festival, in Malaysia.
The group performs traditional and contemporary drumming and dance forms with traditional drums and instruments in brilliant traditional Cook Island costume. Their performances also adapt and blend some aspects of Tahitian and Hawaiian dance forms, including fire dances for special occasions.
Cook Island traditional dances and songs are based around history of story telling and reciting great poetry. Some dances tell of the history of the Cook Islanders, of the great sea journey of Polynesians to the Cook Islands. Some tell stories of the land, of the sea and the winds – all integral aspects of Pacific Island culture. Cook Islanders have a tradition of improvising dance forms around special events and occasions; dances for greeting a couple to the wedding ceremony, or opening ceremonies.
The Cook Islands Polynesian Dancers incorporate up to 15 performers in their group; featuring 7 drummers (sometimes ukulele and guitar) supporting up to 8 dancers; 4 female and 4 male adult dancers. They have performed workshops and school activities for a range of cultural and educational purposes, around the needs of people of all ages, including children.