01.23.15 visit to Rumung - Womens' and Mens' dances

Here are a few photgraphs taken by Julie.

yes, those skirts can sway. These were made from hibiscus fiber.

I really like her. She tried hard to keep pace with the older girls and women. And she would smile at  me as I watched her.

I like seeing the younger girls learning the traditional songs and dances.

A little one.

She did watch the girl next to her and did imitate her movements for a while. She was so cute.      

 

 

 

 

The old ways and the new ways. See the nail polish?

He is a darling.

A very somber start.

The mens' dance tends to be a bit suggestive, although mild compared to what we now see. It was originally forbidden for a woman to watch, so many hid behind trees to observe the dances. In these modern times, women are allowed in the audience, but there is a bright light facing the "stage" that keeps the men from identifying the women in the audience. And of course, the younger girls giggle.

I like the blurred pictures. It gives you a sense of the movement.

He competed in the Olympics in Greece as a wrestler. A very nice man with a really nice smile. The woman is a surgical oncologist from Harvard Medical School and BIDMC. Perhaps you recognize her.

WWII Japanese plane that crashed. Most unfortunate no one has been able to save it from the elements. You can see bullet holes in the tail section.

The boats await. Many who attended the dances were now living on the "mainland".

And yes indeed, It rained very, very hard for a while. Then it cleared and the dancing resumed.