Tagata O Le Vasa—People of the Ocean
MANU Project, New Zealand
Tagata O Le Vasa—People of the Ocean (performance)
‘Tagata O Le Vasa’ is a series of works that explore the relationship our Oceanic people have with the Pacific ocean: a place of discovery, voyage, ancient traditions and practices, cultural exchange, livelihood and beauty.
Bringing together elements of Pacific and Contemporary dance movement – ‘Tagata O Le Vasa’ utilises third year Māori and Pacific students who are studying contemporary dance at the top dance institutions in New Zealand: NZ School of Dance, UNITEC Dance, University of Auckland Dance Studies.
MANU is a project based project/collective directed by Xavier Breed, alongside co-directors and fellow young Pacific/Māori artists Connor Masseurs, Jas Ofamo’oni and Toa Paranihi.
MANU’s performers consist of current Pasifika and Māori dance students (majority in their final year of training) from various tertiary dance institutions in New Zealand – NZ School of Dance, UNITEC Dance and the University of Auckland Dance Studies Department. MANU aims to provide tertiary dance students of Pasifika and Māori descent, the opportunity to take part in festivals and opportunities inside and outside of New Zealand – expanding their knowledge, skill and outlook on art and the world as well as networking with fellow Pacific and Māori artists. MANU also acts as a platform for these students to showcase Pacific and Māori culture through contemporary dance choreography in a safe and collaborative space built upon Pacific cultural values and morals.