This year the Cook Islands marks 40 years of self-government. This milestone will be marked in the country's annual Te Maeva Nui Celebrations, once known as the Constitution Celebrations and started back in 1965 to celebrate self-government. The Constitution Celebrations was renamed Te Maeva Nui in 2001 at the encouragement of former prime minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry who wanted a Cook Islands Maori name to capture the essence and joy of the annual festival.

Te Maeva Nui translates as "the major or most important celebration" and reflects the significance the Cook Islands places on the annual festival. Each year, performing artists from Rarotonga and the outer islands of the Cooks group gather at the National Auditorium to present new dances, songs, drum beats and costumes expressing the cultural theme chosen for that particular year. It is truly a magnificent display of the highest standards portraying the performing arts of the Cook Islands. In addition, it is a time when the creative community of the Cook Islands is gathered on Rarotonga and when contemporary and traditional visual arts exhibitions are staged, traditional and contemporary sports are played between the islands as part of the celebrations.

An opening float parade on 29 July and Mardi gras on the 7 August through the main township of Avarua add to the spectacular display of colour and festive atmosphere. The vibrant culture of the Cook Islands will be showcased at its best between 29 July to 7 August in a special celebration of a nation.

Theme

A simple but expressive theme has been chosen for this year's 40th Te Maeva Nui Festival, marking 40 years of self-government: Te Maeva Nui o te Basileia, Celebrating a Nation.

Under that main theme will the sub-theme to help guide and inspire competing dance groups with their compositions: Akararangi I Toku Tupuranga - Celebrating My Heritage

There are six categories for teams to work with ~

:: Peu Tupuna ~ Traditional Customs
:: Porotiki ~ Politics
:: Evangelia ~ Religion
:: Kopu Tangata ~ Genealogies/Family Structure
:: Reo Maori ~ Maori Language
:: Tarekareka Tipoti ~ Sports

History of the festival

The former name of Constitution Celebrations was changed back around 1994 at the request of then prime minister, Sir Geoffrey Henry. "Government wanted a Maori translation for the Celebrations, something that would capture the essence of our annual festival and convey in our language that it is an event to celebrate self-governance and our Cook Islands culture. Te Maire Maeva Nui was first used, but was a bit of tongue twister and could be confused with Te Maire Nui, the 1992 Pacific Arts Festival held in Rarotonga, therefore the name was changed to Te Maeva Nui in 2001. Annual themes are based on clearly defined cultural themes for all teams to work with.

He says over the years these themes have changed to show the progression and development of Cook Islands culture captured in the original items performed by the teams. This began with the 2002 theme Te Kapuanga o Toku Enua e Toku Matakeinanga - The Origins of My Island and Tribal Heritage.

Celebration of a Nation: a celebration in print

This year's Te Maeva Nui celebrations look to be the biggest and most event-filled ever to commemorate 40 years of self-government and this year's celebrations will be unparalleled with many special events being staged along with the normal programme of events. A special book to celebrate our culture of performing arts: Celebration of a Nation will be on sale soon.


Photos : © Ministry of Cultural Development