On the Pacific island of Rotuma, the dedicated dancers and musicians of Rako Pasefika work with their elders to create new ceremonies and revitalize stories of land and ocean. After scores of performances around the world and years away from Rotuma, “ARMEA” opens as the group makes their long awaited return home to the island. The Rako team engages with creative elders to revive ancient stories inspired by the totemic Armea. Their relationships with elders, knowledge keepers, healers, artisans and cultural custodians reveal deep and reciprocal connections to their ancient land and to the immense ocean from which it rises. Both an offering to those who have guided the way—such as the hån lep he rua sacred women—and a promise to sustain sacred artforms for generations to come, ARMEA is an ode to all that is small yet sacred.
