Every Stamp Tells a Story by pikatribble |  |
This week: Mystery Island Aishas Stamp
NEOPIAN POST OFFICE KIOSK - Hello and welcome back stamp collectors! It's time
for another exciting (or hopefully, at least, mildly interesting) edition of
Every Stamp Tells a Story. With Halloween over and the chill of winter
slipping down into Neopia Central from the peak of Terror Mountain, many are
contemplating warmer retreats for the next few months. That is why this week
we will be looking at the Mystery Island Aishas stamp:
 The Mystery Island Tourism Board sponsored this stamp in an effort to promote
the island's natural beauty and culture. Since the discovery of Mystery
Island by mainland Neopian's, there has been steady pressure by developers
to build typical tropical island resorts along the island's pristine beaches
to encourage further tourism. Many native islanders feel that this could possibly
lead to the destruction of their culture and way of life, and a growing resistance
to tourism in any form has been building. It is hoped that through the promotion
of a type of 'eco-tourism', which highlights the natural wonders of the island
and showcases the unique customs of the islanders, an agreeable balance between
economic and cultural demands can be reached.
The caption which accompanies this stamp - Aishas dance on a Mystery Island
beach! - does not do justice to the picture depicted upon it. To begin with,
the beach shown in the background is one at the famed Omara bay, its sparkling
white sands reflecting the beautiful orange rays of the setting sun, turning
the clear blue skies overhead to magnificent shades of purple and indigo. The
crystal clear waters of the bay wash ashore rhythmically, the waves attracting
surfers from all over Neopia as they attempt to imitate the graceful Peophins
who ride upon the crests. Further away from shore, where the waves have yet
to rise majestically from the ocean surface, snorklers and divers alike will
find an amazing array of tropical plant and animal species, many of which are
unique to the waters of Mystery Island.
The two Aishas portrayed in traditional grass skirts upon the stamp are Kahiko
(the green Aisha on the right), and Auana (left), both of the Lalau family.
The famed Lalau family has been the champion of the Pango Pango Mystery Island
Hula Championships for three years in a row, and they are huthold names to the
residents of Mystery Island.
Hula has been within the Lalau family for years, passed on from mother to daughter,
from father to son (The Lalau family is one of that minority 4% of other species
in the population of Mystery Island, and have inhabited the island for generations).
It as much an art as it is a dance, each movement of a paw, tail or ear (depending
upon the species) holding significance to the tale being told in the dance,
which is accompanied by various percussive instruments and chanting. Kahiko
and Auana have themselves been studying the dance since they were born, taught
by their mother, Mele, who was herself one of the most accomplished hula dancers
of her time. Even though most Aishas show an instinctive ability to dance, their
acute hearing allowing them to almost feel the rhythm of music, the sisters
seemed to excel more than most. At a young age, they showed an understanding
of the rhythm of the chant, and an ability to swiftly learn the movements and
interpretations of the dance. They won their first regional competition as lead
dancers when they were teenagers, but even now, despite the fact that they are
the reigning champions on Mystery Island and indeed in Neopia, both still consider
themselves as learners and their 'art' to still be in its infancy.
Hula truly is a family affair for the Lalau's. Kahiko and Auana's father, Kumu,
once performed in the hula dances himself, until an unfortunate incident with
an angered Jetsam cut his promising career tragically short. He now works to
manage the family's time, as they are much in demand throughout Mystery Island
to perform in the various festivals, parades, competitions and tourist events.
He is also responsible for finding new teachers for his daughters, who have
memorised all the dances and chants their mother could teach them, and now seek
to learn more from other families on the island.
Kahiko and Auana's brothers (Ipu, Kaekeke, Uliuli, Pahu) also participate in
the hula dances, occasionally dancing but more often playing the instruments
and performing the chants that accompany the girls rhythmic movements (Unfortunately,
none of them seemed to inherit their father's sense of rhythm or aptitude for
the dance itself). Ipu plays a traditional drum made from a hollowed-out tigermelon.
The 'drum' can be played in a couple different ways, from hitting it with one's
paw to banging it against a mat made of palm leaves. Kaekeke plays the wish
sticks, and can create several different tones simply by using different combinations
and lengths of cherry and oak wish sticks, striking them against each other
or upon the ground. Uliuli plays a traditional rattle, formed by placing dried
kraku berries inside a drained coconut. Lastly, Pahu plays a less traditional
drum, one formed of a clay pot created with special strong walls by island artisans.
It is played by lowering a cub tooth attached to a string into the pot's interior,
and then swinging the tooth around to clink against the inside of the pot. It
takes a great deal of skill to make the sounds happen with a pattern...to produce
music instead of just noise, and Pahu has won many awards for his skill.
All the members of the family, including Kumu and Mele, perform the chants
that accompany the dance performances. Most of the chants to which the hula
is performed focus either upon historical events or the beauty of nature. The
favourite of the Lalau family and the one which has become their signature piece
at all their performances is as follows:
The waves roll
in along the shore;
An endless dance
forevermore;
The sands accept
their cool embrace;
This is my true
home.
The mountains
rise into the skies;
Feel Tiku Taku's
ghostly eyes;
The warrior who
saved us all;
Who saved my one
true home.
The Kougra's
prowl the jungles deep;
The jungle's wild
pulse they do keep;
The Pango's dance
their tribal beat;
Echo in my true
home.
This paradise
within the sea;
Does not belong
to you or me;
And yet forever
will I believe;
That this is my
true home.
So remember, the next time you visit Mystery Island, do not simply think of
it as a vacation, but as a chance to immerse yourself in another culture with
different beliefs and traditions. Certainly, you may not have all the amenities
of a stay at the Presidential Palace, and you may have to carry your own luggage
to your guest hut, but the awe-inspiring beauty of the island and the kindness
of its inhabitants will make you forget any minor discomforts. And if at all
possible, be certain to catch one of the Lalau family's performances. You won't
regret it!
Until next time, happy stamp collecting! |
