English poet Rupert Brooke wrote on a trip to Samoa in the 1800’s, “You lie on a mat in a cool Samoan Hut, and look out on the white sand under the high palms and gentle sea, and the black line of the reef a mile out and moonlight over everything. And then among it all are the loveliest people in the world, moving and dancing life gods and goddesses. It is sheer beauty, so pure it is difficult to breathe it in.”

The Samoan Siva, performed by a young maiden is the most graceful dance with angelic movements while the dancer tells a story with her hands. She glides across the floor as if she is weightless. From the graceful movements of the Siva, to the fast actions of the fa’ataupati or slap dance performed by the men, Samoans love to perform.

One dance the Siva Afi, or fire knife dance is performed by young boys and men. They twirl a large knife and often two at the same time while both ends are engulfed in flames. The fire knives are twirled around the neck, through the legs, over their heads, and under the arms. This dance is the highlight of every show as they perform to the beat of the wooden drum in perfect rhythm and harmony.