A Wallis and Futuna dancer in New Zealand wants to broaden people's perspectives on traditional Uvean dance by making it fun and relevant.
Steev Laufilitoga Maka, 2018 Pacific Dance Artist residency Photo: RNZ Pacific Sara Vui-Talitu
Steev Laufilitoga Maka is midway through the Pacific Dance Artist residency to teach the Wallisian dance form.
The master dancer has a background in theatre with over a quarter of a century's experience in the Pacific region.
Steev Laufilitoga Maka teaching a class at Te Oro as part of the Pacific Dance Artist residency. Photo: RNZ Pacific/Sara Vui-Talitu
He said allowing people to make Uvean dance their own had made it more accessible and inclusive.
"As I say to the participant, Uvean dance is about the energy and the beauty of movement. And Uvean Futuna dance it always evolves and never stays the same," he said.
"Because 21st Century is different in energy and our tradition has to move on with the time."
The dancer has been working with primary school children, youth from a local marae and has held free public classes.
The residency is now in its ninth year and runs for eight weeks.
