Tangi Kaara is one of the cultural competitions at the annual Te Maeva Nui (constitution celebrations) on Rarotonga.
Tangi means ‘make a sound’ or ‘play (an instrument)’. Ka’ara, a large log drum, is probably one of the oldest instruments in the Cook Islands.
Cook Islanders are justifiably proud of their skill and rhythms – our drumming is the best in the Pacific!
Six teams entered the 2011 contest; Puaikura, Avarua, Mitiaro, Mangaia, Aitutaki and Manihiki.
Manihiki were the defending champions and they won the contest again. In fact I think they’ve been the best for many years. But you can see (and hear) from the video the many different styles and beats that the teams produced.
This was the traditional section of the competition but there was also a creative drumbeat section in which all sorts of odd instruments were used - hollow steel pipes for chimes, garden hoses and sawn off plastic bottles to create trumpets.
DVDs of the whole 2011 Te Maeva Nui are available from the Ministry of Cultural Development. The pack of 4 DVDs includes cultural performances by teams for all four nights and also the Imene Tuki, Choir and Tangi Kaara competitions. The cost is $50.00 (+p&p).
Ministry of Cultural Development Overseas Orders
(Postage is for New Zealand –contact MOCD email: karioi@culture.gov.ck for postage to other countries)
2011
Composers Competition DVD + CD $40+$10pp
Dancer of the Year 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Mire Tama 2xDVD $40+$10pp
2010
Composers Competition DVD + CD $40+$10pp
Dancer of the Year 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
2009
Composers Competition DVD + CD $40+$10pp
Dancer of the Year 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Miss Tiare 2xDVD $40+$10pp
2008
Composers Competition DVD + CD $40+$10pp
Dancer of the Year 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Miss Tiare 2xDVD $40+$10pp
2007
Composers Competition DVD $25+$10pp
Dancer of the Year 3xDVD $45+$20pp
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Miss Tiare 3xDVD $45+$20pp
2006
Composers Competition DVD $25+$10pp
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
Miss Tiare 2xDVD $40+$10pp
2005
Te Maeva Nui 4xDVD $50+$20pp
TMN Highlights CD $25+$5pp
Re-mastered from Videotape to DVD
A’Ti Vee (1995) 1xDVD (3 hours) $50+$10pp
Katikatia (1994) 1xDVD (3 hours) $50+$10pp
