MIF25: FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE – SAUNIGA (CEREMONY) at HOME
Carmel Smickersgill, Tours & Activities Editor
Manchester International Festival (MIF) would be nothing without the truly international collaborative nature of the projects involved. As part of MIF25, critically acclaimed queer, indigenous collective FAFSWAG takes over HOME to present FALE SĀ / SACRED HOUSE. Over the course of the festival they will host exhibitions, conversations and cultural happenings that draw from a deep well of ancestral knowledge and create art which centres an indigenous world view. A particular highlight of this programme is sure to be SAUNIGA, a live cultural ceremony.
Based on the Samoan Proverb ‘E sui faiga ae tumaufa’avae’ (translation: ‘The form changes, but the underlying principles remain.’) SAUNIGA journeys into a world of humanity’s earliest ancestors. The animals from land, sky and ocean from which we evolved. The ceremony recalls a sacred connection between Aitu (spirits) of this old world and the lives of their Samoan descendants. As an experience, it invites anyone and everyone to interrogate their place within a wider network of natural systems which have been running for millennia.
SAUNIGA combines dance, chanting and ceremony to offer poignant reflections about our relationship with animals and nature. Through cultural activation it offers playful discoveries. The ceremony has been creatively led by director Pati Tyrell of collective FAFSWAG alongside Jaycee Tanuvasa and Peni Fakaua. Taking inspiration from each of the artist’s research collecting stories from the pacific diaspora. SAUNIGA is more specifically told through a Samoan world view, offering a nuanced and lesser known alternative narrative to our shared past as well as imparting grains of ancient knowledge that would benefit us all going forward.
FAFSWAG’s residency at HOME was developed with support from Asia TOPA and Creative New Zealand. Be sure to check out the full programme for MIF25 to discover more groundbreaking performances. It all kicks off with Manchester being taken over by a mass migration in the HERDS.
