Variety Of Cultures At International Evening

Press, Volume C, Issue 29621, 18 September 1961, Page 10

Variety Of Cultures At International Evening

A Balinese dance, an international costume parade, a Samoan kava ceremony and a Malayan candle dance were among the features of an international night held in the University Hall on Saturday evening. The programme was arranged by the international clubs of the Canterbury Agricultural College and the University of Canterbury to raise money for the Students’ Association building fund. Ticket sales amounted to £25 and another £35 was collected during the evening. The kava ceremony was the first item. The large audience saw the presentation of the kava root and then the orators from two villages exchanging speeches as the chief’s daughter wrung the shredded root in the liquid in the ceremonial bowL The Mayor (Mr G. Manning) was the first to receive a drink, as the representative of the people of Christchurch. The chief of the home village was second and the Vice-Chancellor (Dr. L. L. Pownall) third. Before he drank Dr. Pownall said: “This is the first time that kava has been made in this hall. It is an honour, and it is an honour that I have been asked to drink it.” The orators then had their sip and the ceremony ended. The hula was then demonstrated by a young girl accompanied by four women. A sasa, or male action dance, was next.

A Fijian guitar trio, P. Waga, J. Rongica, and J. Cavalevu, sang three Fijian songs including Isa Lei. This trio also accompanied many other items. Yvonne Soeterik then performed a 'Balinese legang dance A red spotlight increased the mystical effect of the body and arm movements Amusing Stories Jock Isdale told several amusing stories about the natives of his home land— Scotland. He answered the perennial question, “What does a Scotsman wear under his kilt?” by suddenly producing a small bottle of whisky from under his belt, and refreshing himself on stage.

A Bornean ngajat dance, with sword and shield, performed by Ralph Sagat, preceded Indian and Pakistani love songs. These were sung by H. Sharma and Khatri M. Ishak respectively.

Nine attractive girls modelled their national costumes. Samoa, Borneo, Malaya (two), Viet Nana, China, India, Italy and New Zealand (Maori) were the countries represented. A male member of the Maori party showed the intricacies of the long pot The group then did an action song A Malayan rnen&ri lilin, or candle dance, was very impressive. This was performed by four men on a' darkened stage, and everyone’s attention was held as the eight

flames weaved in time to the music.

A Chinese sweet sellers dance, or mai tanke, caused consternation among those in the first two rows of the audience, who had to duck as Kwang Bek Hoon began throwing sweets from the stage. A Ceylonese Khandian dance by G. W. Thilakaratne preceded a Dutch male quartet singing several national songs. Their enthusiasm compensated for the lack of voice range.

An Italian party danced the tarantella and performed a mime of an Italian legend. The final item was a humourous skit on a Maori haka done by Yeow Keng Hoe and the Dutch quartet.