The making of Mahina

A look behind the scenes by one of the theme portraits of the cultural project ‘Mahina – An ode to women’. In this theme portrait Danny Kolanus dances the ceremonial and ritual dance Tnabar Fanewa.

Danny Kolanus’ family came to the Netherlands in the early 1950s as a result of forced migration in the course of Indonesia’s independence. Danny’s maternal family – called Koritelu – comes from the village of Watidal in the Tanimbar Islands. There the Koritelu family traditionally provides the Fare, which plays a central and leading role in ritual dances. In her portrait Danny dances the ceremonial Tnabar Fanewa, in which she imitates a flying eagle and makes contact with her ancestors. The house altar Tavu also takes up this symbolism. [November 2015]

This theme portrait is part of the Mahina cultural project. Exhibited at various locations during the traveling exhibition (2016 – 2021) in the Netherlands. Made by Teru Artist Collective: Jaïr Pattipeilohy, Lesli Taihuttu and Atêf Sitanala.

The song is in the Fordata language.

Copyright [c] 2015 Teru