Le Taupou Manaia is a recognized name in entertainment not just in American Samoa, but Samoa, New Zealand, Hawaii and parts of the US where the group has toured. This year marks the 20th anniversary of Le Tapupou Manaia and is celebrating with a 20th anniversary bash at Tradewinds Pavilion this Saturday, with a show featuring a well known name in entertainment Cindy of Samoa.
Tuifaasisina Corina Lee, who with the late Solipo “SHEVON” Matai founded Le Taupou Manaia in 1999, said the main goal was to “promote the preservation of Fa’a Samoa through the next generation”. And it did this through the siva, teaching girls from an early age the proper dance movements and the meaning of songs and their proper portrayal in the form of siva.
Since its formation, LTM has taught over 5,000 young tama’itai Samoa.
Le Taupou Manaia has established sister groups in Orange County, California, Apia, Samoa and soon to be Auckland, New Zealand, where they will travel to launch at Malaeola Community Center in Mangere on March 30.
This will be a combined tour with Le Taupou Manaia, Apia, Samoa and Orange County, California.
One of the feats of the group is it’s the only one from American Samoa to win the siva competition at the Annual Teuila Festival in Samoa; this was in 2004.
For its 20th anniversary celebration, Le Taupou is honoring all of its former students, parents, friends and families who have helped the school over the years.
Most especially, Le Taupou-Manaia’s choreographer and co-founder the late Solipo “SHEVON” Matai and family, the late Adeline Pritchard Jones, the late Meleke Bowles and the late Tausalamasina Malietoa.
