The Annual World Fireknife Championship and the Samoan Dance Festival (DVD)

This DVD combo brings you an excellent summary of the Polynesian Cultural Centers 11th annual 2003 Samoan World Fireknife Dance Competition and the accompanying Samoan Festival. The competition features dozens of the finest Samoan fireknife dancers, who share their amazing skill, dexterity and fearless routines as they vie for the world title. The dance has its origins in ancient Samoan warrior traditions when a champion would intimidate his enemies with the nifo 'oti, or death tooth. The modern addition of fire makes this unique Samoan art form even more exciting. The Festival features Samoan high school and college groups from throughout Hawaii competing in such traditional skills as green banana peeling, coconut-leaf basket weaving, firemaking, and coconut husking. These energetic young people then switch to performing their lively action dances, including a special solo by the taupou or high chiefs daughter.