WE ARE THE LAMANITE GENERATION

Tu Tangata, Issue 31, 1 August 1986, Page 56

WE ARE THE LAMANITE GENERATION

by Rua Hampstead

In an ancient language the term Lamanite refers to the native people of Latin America, Polynesia, and North America. To a packed audience in Whangarei on May 13, the title Lamanite Generation meant a colourful variety show of both ancient and modern song and dance.

This group of 32 enthusiastic and polished performers from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA, brought a message of brotherhood and goodwill not only to the people of the Northland, but to Aotearoa.

It was standing-room only at the Forum North, as one member of the group, clothed in traditional regalia, introduced the two-hour programme and fellow performers. And loud applause and cheers were evident as relatives and friends recognised five New Zealand Lamanite Generation members in the group.

Edwin Napia, 32, of Kawakawa, danced up-stage in Indian tradition and attire and was unquestionably a Ngapuhi favourite. The four other New Zealanders who received warm welcomes along with other Lamanite Generation members were Vernon Heperi, of Kaikohe; Julia Austin whose family live at Awarua; Paulina Kochonen, whose grandfather owned a joinery factory in Kaikohe; Kookie Murray, who has relations at Whangaruru and Debbie Hippolite of Hamilton.

From the time performers took the stage, they danced and sang their way into the hearts of the Tai Tokerau people, generating applause, and gasps of disbelief at the showing of an impressive array of multicultural costumes. However, the gasps soon turned into whistles as a group of female dancers captivated the male audience when they performed a Latin American number with lighted candles balanced on their heads.

The pace and mood of the show changed throughout the programme with such items from the enchantment of Hawaii including ancient and modern hula; the loud-stamping of the Mexican hat dance; and three masked males amusing the audience with a Mexican mime.

The Polynesian section continued to raise cheers and applause, especially when the audience was introduced to Aotearoa with the traditional wero. Performers in this part of the programme were very precise in song and action and radiated confident smiles all round. Both short and long poi were executed without the least hint of anxiety and were demonstrated with fluorescent effects. All male members showed prowess in the haka and were well accus-

tomed to the traditional pukana. The Samoan and Tahitian items were colourful and included the traditional Samoan slap dance and Tahitian tamure.

nation. The words encouraged the young brave to lift his people up with him as he gained that education.

However, with all the talent demonstrated in the programme, it was the spectacular Indian hoop dance by three men that generated the most oohs and aahs. The dance was performed at speed to a traditional Indian rhythm drum beat. The dancers skilfully wove numerous fluorescent hoops around their

One moving song that really impressed was an Indian song "Go My Son”. The Lamanite Generation sang and did sign language about an Indian telling his young son to go and get an education so he could help his Indian

bodies forming various shapes and birds.

The Lamanite Generation’s version of “We Are The World” concluded the nights entertainment with an audience only too happy for more. Then it was offstage and into the crowd for hugs and handshakes as performers gave out free BYU badges and Lamanite Generation post cards.

Plenty of aroha was shown by family members and old acquaintances for the Kiwis. When finally available for an interview, Edwin Napia said that being a part of the show was “excellent”. He said, “it is a wonderful opportunity to meet people. The purpose is to encourage young people to get an education so they can function in a modern world but still hold onto traditions in that modern world.”

Edwin is in charge of the Maori section of the show. He is a teacher of education at the BYU campus and is currently doing a Masters degree in toxicology.

The Lamanites, ranging in age from 18 to 32, were in Whangarei as part of a sixweek tour of Hawaii, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. Since its premiere in 1971, the Lamanite Generation has appeared throughout the world including performances in the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Eastern and Western Europe, and North and South America.

Dedicated to the education of the whole person, Brigham Young University provides a quality experience in learning with emphasis on adhering to Christian ideals. BYU is sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), and, with its enrolment of 27,000 students, is the largest church-related private university in the United States.