WOMAD

Te Rama Nui

From Australia, New Zealand, New Zealand Island Territories

Although based in Adelaide, South Australia, the Te Rama Nui Dance Group members hail from the island of Atiu in the Cook Islands.  'Te Rama Nui' means 'the torch of flame'.  The group formed in February 2000 and first performed at the Living Kultja Festival in March 2000.  The 16-piece group ranging in age from three to adult, feature five members playing traditional Cook Island wooden drums called pates, base drums and bongos, as well as ukelele and guitar, with eleven dancers in traditional costume, performing the drum dance and action songs.