The Samoan siva, performed by a young maiden is the most graceful dance you will ever see.
The movements are graceful and angelic as the dancer tells a story with her hands, while as if weightless, she glides across the floor.
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 and for the visiting tourist taking in a Fiafia night, or cultural show is a must.
One dance the siva afi, or fire knife dance is performed by young boys or men and is the highlight of every show as they twirl a large knife, with burning flames at both ends around their necks, through their legs, under their arms, and over their bodies, to the rhythmic beat of the wooden drum.
Samoan dance today is a mixture of the old and the new, and they are very distinctive in their style and movements from their Polynesian cousins around the Pacific.