Tavake

Tavake is a Tongan dance group founded in Sydney by choreographer and musician Sisi’uno Helu. Tavake’s aims are to revive the dances and music of Tonga that existed before contact with the western world. The choreography draws from passed down knowledge and archive material, as well as new interpretations. These dances are performed to archival musical recordings or live music. Tavake dancers' performances include drumming, calling and chanting, which together form a call for people to come together. 

The group specialises in two ancient war dances, the Tau Fakaniua and Me’etu’upaki, as well as female dances historically banned by Christian missionaries, the Faha’i Ula and Otuhaka. It is the passion of the founder to preserve the old and ancient sound of Tonga while sharing her knowledge of this important part of the history of Tonga.