By Doug Tuigamala in Guam
It’s a love affair whose roots date back twelve years ago.
Lovers from far flung corners of the Pacific agreed they will postpone seeing each other every year, but will meet every four years.
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder and every four years when the lovers are to reunite there’s much anticipation, preparation and excitement.
The lovers last saw each other in the Solomon Islands.
When they parted four years ago, they made plans to meet in Guam.
After much preparation and planning the lovers have reunited.
Today the government and people of Guam said Hafala Dahai to welcome all the delegations from around the Pacific who’ve gathered to celebrate their rich heritage, their cultures, their arts.
Welcome to the 12 Festival of Pacific Arts.
At Paseo Bay this morning, more than 2000 Chamorros, the native people of Guam, and visitors rushed to the beach and waited patiently to greet a fleet of canoes before the sun came up.
Guam’s T’atasi canoe leads the flotilla of voyagers to Paseo channel while traditional chant & kulu blowing (foafoa) from all ta’tasi vessels welcome voyagers for the pre show which starts at 5:15 am.
The FESTPAC 6 outrigger canoes start off the ceremony, each rowing into the basin blowing the Kulus (foafoa).
The sound of the foafoa ushers in a new day and also calling the gathering to honor fallen mariners of the past, respect human relationship with the ocean and continually preserve our marine resources for the next generation.
I recall one of the chants entitled I Kulo’ Manaian, the shell trumpet of the elders, a song that is used to call the village together around its elders:
“These gifts represent our people’s relationship with the ocean. Long before we were stumbled upon by foreigners we have been migrating these waters.
It was the sakman that brought our people here and this small gift of the tulos and pokasai represents the persistence in the waves of our lives and the journey associated with the craft of seafaring.
These lyrics were chanted by Guam’s master of Chamorro Chnat Mr Leonard Iriarte.
At 6:15am, the Republic of Palau Maisu vessel arrived to the chanting of the Fanlalai’an group. A sacred drink was presented.
Next came the Federated States of Micronesia vessel, followed by that of CNMI, then the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and finally the vessel of the indigenous people of Australia, the aborigines arrived.
To conclude the traditional welcoming ceremony there was an ecumenical prayer service on the beach this Sunday morning.
Next is the opening ceremony featuring the parade of nations of all 27 participating countries and territories.
