Sepiks dazzle at Gizo

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Friday July 6th, 2012

Story and pictures
by GRACE AUKA in Honiara

CULTURAL dancers from the Chambri lakes of East Sepik province put on a spectacular performance at Gizo Island to mark the opening of Pacific Festival of Arts.
Fourteen members made up of mainly youths and observers from the PNG delegation had travelled to Gizo on Tuesday to be part of the festival opening there.
Chairman of the Garamut and Mambu festival William Tekwie who accompanied the Sinsari cultural group said the group’s performance was one of the highlights of the opening ceremony on Gizo Island.
“As fellow Melanesians, we were there to showcase our unique culture with our colourful costumes to share our culture with them,” he said.
He said it was the first time for the group to travel overseas and most of the participants were proud to be displaying PNG’s culture in such a festival.  
The PNG group and a Tahitian dancer were part of the festival opening ceremony.
Most of the delegates say they love to see other cultural groups perform.
Not only that but they also love to mix with the people and tour the island of Gizo.
From Gizo, the group went on a boat cruise to Munda before flying back to Honiara.
The boat trip was to enable them to see the beautiful islands and lagoons.
The delegates thanked the organisers and the Gizo islanders for their hospitality during the one day trip.