Orero, a revival

 Straight after the birthday extravaganza we launched into the orero competition.
An orero is a Polynesian orator, who recites history and legends, each family here has a designated orero who is responsible for reciting their genealogy. In Rurutu they get to use the skill during traditional wedding celebrations, but now the Ministry of Education has started French Polynesia wide competitions, to promote and preserve this dying art, and also the regional languages that go with it. It's a refreshing change - Viriamu spent much of his time at school in the corridor or corner, punished for speaking Rurutu in class (as a child whose parents didn't speak French he was rather doomed, Rurutu was banned at school, in a similar way to the Welsh language). Now Matotea is encouraged to display her Rurutu language skills, a proud moment for her dad.

This year Matotea was finally selected from her class, after several years of hoping! She was one of two representing Avera (along with one of her best friends). It was both an honor and an ordeal. She had to have the right sort of costume and be word perfect.
Viriamu's mum and my sister-in-law came to the rescue as costumières, Viriamu whipped up an omore (lance), she looked fabulous - if petrified, in front of the huge audience. She came fifth out of thirteen at the competition this morning, just qualifying to go to the Austral Islands final in Tubuai next month. Bravo my little girl. Such fire, such passion!