As every year, the fire dance contest named ‘TE AHI NUI’ took place at the hotel ‘Le Méridien Tahiti’… This cultural event is the only competition for the fire knife dancers in Polynesia, it represents a decisive step in qualifying for the World Championships. The fire knife is a traditional Samoan cultural implement that is used in ceremonial dances. It was originally composed of a machete wrapped in towels on both ends with a portion of the blade exposed in the middle. Tribal performers of fire knife dancing, dance while twirling the knife and doing other acrobatic stunts. The towels are set afire during the dances thus explaining the name.
The jury composed of Heiva (champion in 2013 and 2014), Dana (champion in 2012) and Tava (Emeritus dancer) had the difficult task to decide between the competitors.
