The Siva Afi Club opened its doors on Tuesday to patrons for dinner and entertainment for the first time in over two years with spectacular performances by a group of dancers.

The club’s owner Leota Lene Leota told the Samoa Observer that the COVID-19 pandemic forced their closure and the wait to reopen was over when they hosted patrons on Tuesday evening.

"We want to begin our shows now to get our setting ready for the opening of the borders," Leota said. 

Close friends as well as guests added to the intimate setting for the evening. From dresses of feathers, pandanus, siapo, leaves on legs, flowers in hair and ears to the ula nifo on the neck, the dancers at the club were geared up for a show of Samoan elegance and appeal.

Leota said he had always wanted to include Savai’i children as part of the opening act so he started with children from his district as he wanted to train them first. 

"I wanted Savai’i kids to be part of this Siva Afi Club so I decided to go to my district in Savai’i and start there," he said. 

Subsequently he introduced four children and their father from Savai’i who recently became part of the group.

One of the performers, 13-year-old Harold Beckers, told the Samoa Observer that being the only one who is a fire-knife dancer at his school makes him proud and he also wants to be a fire-knife dancing champion. 

As for 10-year-old Jasmine Beckers, a student of Vaigaga Primary School, she said that she learned to dance with knives from her brothers.

"I love to dance. It feels great as a Samoan to do this. I am proud of my country. I want to be an actress," she said.

Their father Chris Beckers was proud of his children, telling this newspaper that he had four children who were part of the performing group that night.

“This is a good thing as it gives them a lot of energy, gives them something to look forward to and constructive to do. 

“All my kids were born here. I grew up overseas but my mother was a Smith from Safotu.”

Jeffery Hunter, who is finishing his college in New Zealand, had also started fire-knife dancing when he was younger. But he said he stopped when he went to New Zealand and only performed there once, after he asked his mother to get him a fire-knife. 

"I did siva afi in primary school but I stopped when I left home. I performed once in New Zealand, but now I am back for a bit and wanted to continue dancing. 

“Leota saw my photos of me doing the fire knife dancing and said I can join.

"My mum got me a stick, but obviously tonight I could have done better. Next time I will do better.

"I like to do the ailao because I want to distinguish myself from others and show that I am Samoan and proud to be.”

A highlight of the group’s performance revolved around Aniva Clarke, whose performance of the ava ceremonial dance transfixed the audience. The dance theme centred around Samoans uniting in spirit. 

"Pe lele le toloa i fea ae maau mai lava i le vai" (wherever the bird flies, it returns to the water) (lyrics of Vania Toloa's famous song were used)

The proverb according to a culture specialist depicts a Samoan's remembrance and pride of home wherever they go in the world. 

The final siva afi dance was also mesmerising as all the dancers spun their knives of fire synchronised. The ailao afi dancers lit up the stage with the guests and patrons cheering them on. 

An elegant taualuga (last celebratory dance) by Ms Clarke concluded the night, her performance watched by her family and guests who donated to the ongoing development of the preservation of the ailao afi in Samoa. Ms Clarke is the daughter of Supreme Court Justice Leaitaualesa Daryl Clarke and senior lawyer Fiona Ey.