15th Annual Tafesilafa’i Festivals celebrate the thoughts, art and culture of
Southern California's Pacific Islander Communities.

There is something for everyone at Tafesilafa’i.  This year’s 15th annual festival is no exception. The week long celebration of cultural diversity among Pacific Islanders starts July 31 and ends August 7, 2011.  Admission to the Festival is free with your paid admission to the Aquarium; participating youth groups will be given special tickets to the Aquarium and there will be other fun things to do in Long Beach that week.  Please carpool.  Paid parking is available at nearby parking structures and metered parking at the Marina.  FREE shuttles are available from nearby churches, blue line and hotels.  Discounted hotel accommodations are available throughout the city.  Last year we recorded over 32,000 visitors during the last 4 days of Tafesilafa’i.

Tafesilafa’i started in 1997 as a conversation about meaning making in the Samoan community.  It has now grown into a platform where ways of being in communities in California are examined.  The Festival is an integration of indigenous, cultural, and religious values in ways that accentuate the importance of family, community, and others.  These values are expressed through music, dances, narratives, and rituals. Participants in Tafesilafa’i deepen their faith, hone their talents, and heighten their cultural awareness as they commune with others, reaffirming respect for God, family, self and the greater community.

This year’s theme “Uo i Aso Uma, Uso i Aso Vale” underscores the importance of relationships and how healthy relationships is found at the base of a healthy community.  Many events will be in the evening so bring a light sweater or a jacket, bring your friends and come spend a few days with us around the water.

Tafesilafa’i starts Sunday July 31st with family centering. Each family puts on their family “toniga” or uniform and attends service at their place of worship. Uniform is a sign of solidarity and, when found in community, signifies diversity. After centering, each family is encouraged to brunch together or they may accept an invitation to brunch with others. See Tafesilafai Family Sunday Schedule

Monday August 1st is the 24 hour prayer marathon, where prayers, thoughts and petitions, gathered throughout the year, are sounded off and prayed for at each participating place of worship. Community members sign up for 30 minute prayer sessions.

Tuesday August 2nd finds us wrapping up the prayer marathon and candlelight vigil as youth groups put the finishing touches on their dances, songs, performances and cultural sharing.

Wednesday August 3rd is friend-raising and set up day at the Aquarium of the Pacific. The tents are raised, the stage is put together, the booths and sinks are hooked up, the “umu” is put in place and the decoration set.  In the afternoon, the community is afforded an opportunity to hear from a leader about their faith journey to success.

Thursday evening August 4th, after the Aquarium closes, visitors will be treated to authentic island dance performances. Each group puts on authentic island performances in their unique vernacular.  At the festival you can purchase authentic island products, experience unique island performances, songs and dances, take part in preparing island cuisines in an above ground "umu" and experience island spirituality.

Friday August 5th when the sun begins to set, another group of performers take the stage to share their ideas of what it means to be authentic, cathartic and alive. Your children will have the opportunity, to sleep with the fish at the Aquarium Friday night.  The necessary enrollment forms are available on line.  Download the application here (link to the sleep with the fish application)

On Saturday August 6th, you will experience island rituals and an “ava” ceremony early Saturday morning.  Dances, songs, talent exhibitions and games follow, or you can walk the beach, take a catamaran out to the bay.  Spend the entire day near the water, retiring to your hotel room exhausted, tanned and relaxed.

Sunday August 7th opens with community centering at 11am followed by “toona’i” or community meal, spiritual dances, performances, songs and praise hymns from the community until dark.