THE LEADER
SPECIAL ISSUE
FOOD FEST 20 20
2020
Food Fest 4 Hawaii - laulau
10 Philippines
6 Mongolia
12 Singapore/Malaysia
8 China
14 Melanesia
9 Maka’ala Human
15 Taiwan
Rights Club
16 India
ON THE COVER: The Philippines Club’s banana lumpia. Photo by Marisa Vaiaoga. Food Fest 2020 videos featuring the recipes and how to make the dishes can be found on BYU–Hawaii’s YouTube.
Graphic by Sadie Madriga. 2 KE A L AK A‘I
K E A L A K A ‘I 3
Graphic by Hannah Manalang. 4 KE A L AK A‘I
Hawaii laulau
Ingredients
Instructions
1 lb Medium-sized laulau (taro) green leaves, cleaned/washed and dried without the stem 5 lbs Pork – fresh port butt, chopped into medium cubes with fat on each piece 1 cup Hawaiian salt 1 cup Garlic salt 24 Ti leaves
Open a taro (laulau) leaf and place another on top of it, so there should be two. Place four to five pieces of pork in the middle of the taro leaf. Sprinkle a teaspoon of Hawaiian salt and a teaspoon of garlic salt all over the pieces of pork on the taro leaves. Wrap the taro leaves around the pork. Prepare the ti leaves by thinning out the stem so it can bend. (Do not split the ti leaf). Wrap the taro leaf bundle in two ti leaves making sure that it is secure, and tie the ti leaf. Repeat this process until all laulau bundles have been wrapped securely. Place all laulau bundles into a pressure cooker for one hour. Open and bring out a hot cooked bundle. Open and remove the ti leaves. Enjoy the pork laulau.
K E A L A K A ‘I 5
Mongolia Mongolian barbecue
Ingredients
Instructions
3 lbs Lamb meat, chopped into medium pieces 4 Potatoes, chopped into large pieces 2 Carrots, into 4 pieces 1 Yellow whole onion, into quarters 1 Whole garlic 1 Head of lettuce 1 Head of cabbage 4 Round dark smooth rocks
Heat rocks on a grill or in the fire. Cut and prepare all other ingredients. Add all the ingredients in a large pot on an open fire or use a pressure cooker. It should be layered as meat, vegetables, stones, meat, vegetables, stones, etc. (Don’t forget the stones! They will add flavor and heat the ingredients.) If using a pressure cooker, cook using the meat/stew option. Cook for about 40 minutes. The result will be a delicious stew and tender meat. Don’t eat the stones. Enjoy the dish.
homemade yogurt Ingredients
Instructions
1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup ½ cup ½ cup ½ cup 2
Heat milk in a pot on medium heat for a few minutes. Place yogurt in a bowl. Pour cup of milk on top of yogurt. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm area. Let sit for six hours. The yogurt should be a thick creamy texture. For morning breakfast, place yogurt in the bottom of a glass cup. Add granola and layer banana, rasperries, and blueberries. Add another layer of yogurt and toppings. Top with honey and garnish with mint leaves. Enjoy.
Whole milk (Mongolia processes milk from dairy cattle) Yogurt Ripe banana chopped Granola Honey Raspberries Blueberries Small mint leaves
6 KE A L AK A‘I
Photos by Marisa Vaiaoga.
K E A L A K A ‘I 7
China
braised shrimp Ingredients
Instructions
12-15 Large unpeeled shrimp ½ cup Vegetable oil 5g Ginger, finely chopped 1 clove Garlic, finely chopped 10 g Spring onions, finely chopped 1 pinch Salt ½ tsp Brown sugar 2 tbsp Soy sauce and ketchup (mixed together)
Heat oil in a large, deep frying pan. Place ginger and garlic into the pan. Carefully place the shrimp into the pan of oil. Cook the shrimp in it until they are all red on both sides. Mix the salt, brown sugar, soy sauce and ketchup together and slowly pour over the shrimp. Let simmer for two minutes. Once it is all cooked, remove the shrimp from the pan. Plate and sprinkle the finely chopped spring onions over it to give it color and more flavor. Enjoy with rice.
8 KE A L AK A‘I
Maka‘ala Human Rights koko rice
Ingredients
Instructions
2 cups 7 cups 1 cup 1 cup 1 cup 2-3
Clean the rice by washing it in a bowl of water until the water is clear. Place the 7 cups of water and 2 cups or rice in a pot of water and heat to boil. Stir the ingredients in the pot with a wooden spoon to ensure it does not stick together. When the rice is breaking apart, add the cup of grated koko samoa or cup of powdered chocolate to the pot and continue to stir until it starts to boil and turn down the heat. Add the coconut milk, sugar and lemon/limes leaves. Continue to stir the ingredients for another five minutes until it is all mixed well. Serve using a ladle spoon and enjoy.
White rice Water Sugar Grated koko Samoa or chocolate powder Coconut milk or condensed milk Lemon/lime leaves
Photos by Marisa Vaiaoga.
K E A L A K A ‘I 9
Philippines banana lumpia
Ingredients
Instructions
4 1 16 1cup 1cup ½cup
Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Place the brown sugar into a shallow bowl. Peel and cut bananas into four pieces. Open can of jackfruit. Take a quarter banana with a piece of jackfruit and roll these in the brown sugar. Place the quarter banana with a piece of jackfruit in the rice wrapper. Roll it in the rice wrapper. Dip fingers in the water and wet the ends of rolled banana lumpia to fold it up onto itself to seal in the banana and jackfruit. Place each rolled lumpia carefully into the hot pan of oil. Turn the lumpia with tongs to ensure all sides are a light golden-brown color. Remove the lumpia rolls from the pan once they are all golden brown. Enjoy on its own or with ice cream.
Large ripe bananas Large can of jackfruit Rice paper wrappers Vegetable oil Brown sugar Clean water
Photo by Marisa Vaiaoga.
10 KE AL AK A‘I
K E A L A K A ‘I 11
Singapore Malaysia red sauce fried fish
Photo by Marisa Vaiaoga.
Ingredients
Instructions
½ kg Tilapia fish, cleaned, gutted and scaled 5 cups Vegetable oil 2 cups Thai chili sauce 2 tsp Salt ½ cup Garlic cloves, finely chopped ½ cup Scallion, finely chopped
Preheat oven on 350 Fahrenheit. Heat a large deep frying pan with the 5 cups of oil. Dry and lightly salt the cleaned fish. When the oil is hot, turn the heat down and carefully submerge the fish into the hot oil. Turn the heat up so the fish will cook crisply. Once cooked, carefully remove the fish from the pan and place on a flat platter. Pour the Thai chili sauce over the fish, soaking it on both sides. Place the platter in the preheated oven on warm for 10 minutes. Remove and garnish with ½ cup of finely chopped scallions.
12 KE AL AK A‘I
Vietnam ese-sty le fried rice Ingredients
Instructions
2 cups Chinese sausage (lup cheong), chopped 6 Eggs, cracked into a bowl and scrambled ½ cup Vegetable oil 1 cup Jasmine white rice, cooked 1 Large yellow onion, finely chopped 3 cloves Garlic, finely chopped 3-4 Red tomatoes, chopped 1 tsp Salt 1 cup Scallion, finely chopped
Heat a deep frying pan with oil. Add the garlic. Saute for one minute. Add the onion. Mix it in for one minute. Add the tomatoes and salt to the pan and mix in. Add the sausages and pour in egg mixture. Stir until the eggs start to harden. Break up the rice and mix it all in. Stir until all the ingredients are well mixed together. Serve hot on a plate and enjoy with your main meat dish.
Photo by Victor Lu from Unsplash. K E A L A K A ‘I 13
Melanesia palau
Ingredients
Instructions
4 cups White rice, cooked 2 pkt Garam (hot) masala 3 lbs Chicken, chopped 2 cups Butter 2 cloves Ginger, finely chopped 2 cloves Garlic, finely chopped 3 Yellow onions, chopped 8 Red tomatoes, chopped 5 Curry leaves 3 Coriander 6 Cardamon 3 Red small chili, chopped 2 Cinnamon sticks 1 cup Oil 1 tbsp Salt
Add oil to a deep pot being heated on the stove. When oil is hot, add salt, onions, ginger and garlic. Mix for one minute. Add curry leaves, coriander, chili, cinnamon sticks, cardamon and garam. Mix all ingredients together. Add chopped clean chicken, tomatoes and butter into the pot. Cook chicken on low heat for 10 minutes, consistently stirring. Add cooked rice and mix all the ingredients together in the pot for five minutes. Pour everything from the pot into a pressure cooker. Set pressure cooker for 30 minutes to cook. Once pressure cooker time is done, open and serve hot.
14 KE AL AK A‘I
Taiwan danzai noodle
Ingredients
Instructions
1 pkt 6 1 cup 1 cup 1 lb 1 cup 1 cup ½ cup ½ cup ½ cup 1 tbsp ½ cup 1 tsp 3 ½ cup ½ cup ½ cup 3
Use a deep frying pan to saute garlic and onion in sesame oil for one minute. Add shrimp carefully and stir for two minutes. Add cooking alcohol, water, soy sauce, oyster sauce and all other ingredients except for the noodles, bean sprouts and vegetables. Stir slowly on low heat for three minutes. Add noodles, bean sprouts, vegetables and prepped boiled eggs. Simmer for five minutes, stirring regularly. Serve hot in a bowl. Enjoy.
Noodles (Chinese slightly thick, wheat based) Large shrimp with shell Dried small shrimp Dried mushroom Ground pork Cooking alcohol Water Soy sauce Oyster sauce Sugar Five-spice powder Sesame oil Salt Garlic cloves, smashed Onion crisps Bean sprouts Veggies Eggs, boiled and soaked in soy sauce overnight
Photo by Marisa Vaiaoga. Graphic by Hannah Manalang. K E A L A K A ‘I 15
India
butter chicken Ingredients
Instructions
1 lb 1 tbsp 1 tbsp 1 tsp
Boneless chicken breast, cut into bite size pieces Lemon juice Ginger garlic paste Salt
To begin, first marinate the chicken by placing the chicken into a large bowl. Mix the lemon juice, ginger garlic paste and salt in bowl with chicken. Let marinate for 20 minutes.
2 tbsp 2 oz 4 cloves 12 1 4 1 1 tbsp 1 stick 1 lb 2 cups
Unsalted butter Red onions, chopped Garlic Cashew nuts Black cardamom Cloves Bay leaf Red curry Cinnamon Tomatoes, chopped Water
1 cup 1 tbsp 4 tbsp 1.5 tbsp 1 tsp
Yogurt Lemon juice Vegetable cooking oil Red chili powder Salt
For the curry sauce, use a large deep pot. Add butter, onions, garlic, cashew nuts, cardamom, cloves, bay leaf, red curry, tomatoes and water. Mix all together and let simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour cooled curry sauce into a large bowl and blend it to a smooth, soupy liquid. For second chicken marination, add oil and red chili powder into a large bowl. Add the chicken that has been marinated for 20 minutes and mix. Add the yogurt, lemon juice and less than 1 tsp of salt. Mix together and let sit for another 20 minutes. Add butter and oil into a large deep frying pan on high heat. Use tongs to place marinated chicken pieces into the pan. Be sure the chicken pieces are not touching. Sear chicken for two minutes on each side (total of four minutes). Use a large wok or large deep frying pan for the final combination. Add 2 tbsp butter into the pan on medium heat. Add ½ tsp chopped ginger and one red chili pepper into the pan and mix to melt the butter. Add the blended mixture into the pan. Add ½ tsp sugar and less than 1 tsp of salt. Mix and wait until the mixture boils. Add the cooked chicken. Let it simmer for two to three minutes. Pour into a bowl and add 2 tbsp of yogurt. Enjoy with rice.
Photo by Abhi Bakshi from Unsplash.
16 KE AL AK A‘I
K E A L A K A ‘I 17
THE LEADER
SPECIAL ISSUE
CULTURE NIGHT
20 21 12 KE AL AK A‘I
10 KE AL AK A‘I
2021
Culture Night 4 AT LONG LAST: Culture Night 8 Ballroom
18 Kiribati
10 Cambodia
20 Mongolia
12 China
22 Philippines
14 Hawaii
24 Samoa
16 India
26 Photospread
ON THE COVER: China club’s choreographer Joy Tang dancing at Culture Night 2021. Photo by Ulziibayar Badamdorj. Culture Night videos can be found on BYU–Hawaii and Ke Alaka‘i’s YouTube accounts.
Graphics by Sadie Madriga. K E A L A K A ‘I 11
At long last:
Culture Night 2021 After 2020’s cancellation, BYUH students from across the globe come together as one in the culture of Christ
BY ANNA STEPHENSON
A
fter the stresses of the global pandemic, an opportunity was presented to share unique cultures with one another and to cheer on brothers and sisters of the BYU–Hawaii ohana from all over the world. The nine chapters that presented their dances at Culture Night 2021 were met with enthusiasm and cheers and smiles from the crowd. The gratitude from the students and faculty participating in the event was unmistakable. Vice President of Student Life Jonathan Kalaonalani Kau said at the event was a momentous occasion for President John S.K. Kauwe III because it was his first Culture Night. Additionally, Culture Night 2021 was the first large-scale event hosted by BYUH since the beginning of the pandemic. Determined to be an essential activity, the event was chaperoned by the Hawaii Police Department to ensure proper COVID-19 safety protocols were followed. More than 600 live audience members were in attendance and were required to sit in assigned seats and refrained from screaming while keeping their face masks on at all times. A livestream of the event was also broadcast on the BYUH YouTube channel. The Hawaii Club was the first to perform. The club members danced the hula in simple
4 KE A L AK A‘I
costumes of black skirts and pants, white shirts, colorful patterned belts and kukui nut leis. The Hawaii Club Vice President Piliahloha Haverly, said they danced to songs picked to broaden the horizons of the club and audience members alike. Both songs were a tribute to the nearby town of Hauula and its landmarks, such as Sacred Falls. For the first song, only female members of the club danced. They were joined by the men for the rest of the performance. Everyone was smiling widely as they danced and communicated the importance, culture and history Hauula holds for its residents. After the Hawaii Club finished, the Cambodia Club members took the stage. In their introduction, they invited anyone, regardless of national origin, to join the Cambodia Club to learn, share and love each other as a family. “We are all the same no matter where we come from,” Cambodia Club President Amreth Phirun asserted. They proceeded to present a four-part performance in which the first three parts were traditional folk dances and the fourth was an energetic pop-culture dance. The Cambodia Club dances placed emphasis on individual dancers and their hand gestures, Phirun said, which conveyed the meaning of the dance.
Their costumes were white and gold with either long skirts or colorful pants, topped with elaborate gold headdresses, belts, necklaces and bangles. Props were used throughout the traditional dances, which were: the blessing dance, the apsara dance and the ken dance. Finally, during the pop-culture dance, the audience clapped along to the beat as Cambodian flags waved at the back of the stage behind the dancers. The Great India Club members also invited students to participate in their club activities in the upcoming semesters. The choreography reflected the diversity of India, they said in their introduction video, by selecting four different dances from four different corners of India, three folk dances and one classical dance. Indian dance has far more to offer than just Bollywood, said the India Club President Vidya Purushottam, because the dances tell stories and share history. The happiness and excitement of the dancers was infectious as they ran onstage with colorful, flowing outfits. The women wore face and hand makeup. They danced to the upbeat music and displayed the Indian flag at the end of their performance. The Ballroom Dance Club was the only club at Culture Night not representing a specific country. The club members instead
Performances left to right: two from Cambodia, China, Hawaii, Kiribati and Samoa. Below: India. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 9
represented the diversity and shared passions of the BYUH student body, which consists of both domestic and international students. The Ballroom Club Vice President Abigail Smith said with an active group chat and weekly Zoom meetings, the Ballroom Dance Club was a gathering point for many brand new freshmen. However, some new club members were unable to perform in Culture Night because they hadn’t made it to campus yet. Those who did perform showed off a lively performance based off of old-school American dances. The all-female troupe was dressed in black shirts and bright red skirts and danced to electric swing and pop song remixes. Fifth up was the Mongolia Club, which was described as a supportive and tight-knit ohana by Mongolian Club President Jaagii Battulga. They danced to a song titled “The Rising Sun,” which told the story of separated lovers. The title of the song comes from the idea that no matter how long and dark the night is, the sun will always rise in the morning. Because students have experienced being separated from loved ones for long periods of time during the pandemic, the choreographer, Narantsatsral Ganzorigt, said the Mongolia Club wished to express hope and joy to the audience and share the message that everything
will be okay. Their costumes were patterned and embroidered, the women wore bright colors and the men were outfitted in fur. The Kiribati Club followed with a twopart dance performance that incorporated both modern and traditional elements. The members of the Kiribati Club consider this club their home and a place to share their culture even when Kiribati is 1,000 miles away, said Club President Angelina Kum Kee. With female club members in black grassstyled skirts and male club members in woven wraps, they imitated the motions of the frigate bird, the national symbol of Kiribati. After the traditional dance, they cut to a slideshow of pictures of Kiribati and changed their costumes to black shirts and bright red lavalavas for the second part of their performance. During this dance, they mixed traditional Kiribati style with other schools of dance from around the world. They capped off their performance with waving the Kiribati flag. The China Club went next during Culture Night with a traditional performance with a modern feel. Paying homage to the ancient Chinese philosophy of yin and yang, said the choreographer, Joy Tang, their dance was a delicate balance between two different styles
of dance. The performance started with a live music solo performed on the zheng, a 2,500-year-old Chinese instrument with an ethereal sound. Afterwards, dancers in traditional pink and red flowing dresses, called hanfu, took to the stage to perform a classic dance. They then changed costumes into casual Western-style clothes to dance again to the same song, but with more explosively energetic movements. At the end, they showed their country’s flag. Next up, was the Philippines Club, the biggest club at BYUH, said the club’s introduction video. With their dance, Club President Gerome Romero said they hoped to send a message of hope and resilience. They included a touching tribute to Filipino healthcare workers who stood on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world. With white shirts, black pants and white shoes, the Philippines Club was eye-catching as they danced in celebration of their country. They waved colorful scarves and the Philippines flag at the end of their performance. Last, but certainly not least, the Samoa Club put on a performance highlighting the strength and courage that carried people through the challenges of 2020 to 2021. Their dance was preceded by an emotional
announcement from Samoa Club President Jannah Fogavai of how the taualuga would be the last dance of Culture Night 2021, but not the last of times spent together as friends and peers. Fogavai highlighted the importance of faith and trust in Heavenly Father combined with hard work and preparation. The women in the club wore long yellow and blue patterned skirts, white necklaces and feather hairpieces. The men were mostly shirtless and dressed in traditional clothes. For the men’s segment of the dance, they delivered a powerful performance with jumping, dancing and clapping. Finally, Fogavai came out in traditional regalia, complete with a tuiga headdress and performed a taualuga. The excitement and joy of both the club and audience members was thick in the air. When the dance was over, the audience was thanked for their love and support by Culture Night organizers. •
Performances left to right: Kiribati, the Philippines, Mongolia, China, Cambodia and Samoa. Above: Mongolia. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 7
8 KE A L AK A‘I
Ballroom
SWINGING INTO CULTURE NIGHT Ballroom Dance Club members say they have become a close family despite the challenge of dancing 6 feet apart
BY LAUREN GOODWIN
D
ue to the COVID-19 restrictions, Ballroom Dance Club members said they were required to come up with individual dances, rather than the traditional partner dances. Despite the circumstance, the club put on a lively and fun performance that consisted of 1920s and cha cha inspired moves that gave rise to cheers from the crowd. Alexia Kaley, a senior from Texas majoring in secondary education and the club’s choreographer, said the Ballroom Dance Club’s Culture Night numbers have typically kept to the same formula over the years. However, this year she decided to make it a little more lively, she said. The club’s costumes were simple this year, consisting of plain black shirts and knee-length red skirts. Kaley said the group kept their costumes simple so they wouldn’t take away from the dances. Abigail Smith, a junior from Ohio majoring in computer science and the vice president of the club, said ballroom dance is based on partner dances, but current circumstances required dancers to stay 6 feet apart at all times. To adjust to these requirements, Kaley said she based her choreography off of Latin
and 1920s style dances and made them into individual steps to follow the 6-feet apart rule. Over the course of a few weeks leading up to Culture Night, Kaley said she had put together their dance numbers, filmed them and posted them on Facebook. Smith said they practiced virtually and in person to learn the dances and said all of the group members were great contributors and fast learners. Kaley said it was her last Culture Night because she is graduating this year. She said she grew up dancing because her mother was a dance teacher. Her mother’s creativity inspired this year’s exciting choreography, she said. Gabriela Nielson, a freshman from California with an undecided major, said she was most excited to experience everything Culture Night had to offer. Nielson explained she did swing dancing in high school and always wanted to learn more, which was why she decided to join the Ballroom Dance Club. She said she was excited to branch out and explore the other types of ballroom dancing. Nielson expressed how close the group had become and appreciated the connection the group shared. The group became a
“little family” during dance practices, she said, adding she felt supported and loved by everyone in the group. Alexis Clement, a freshman from Nevada majoring in elementary education, shared she joined the Ballroom Dance Club because she had done it earlier in life and wanted to join with a friend who was a part of the group. She expressed eagerness to perform even though they’re a small group. She explained, “I’m really excited to master the dances, and it’s fun to perform and more fun to be the best at it and put all my energy into it.” She shared she’s used to performing and enjoyed preparing for Culture Night and learning about the different styles of dance. Smith said she looked forward to performing in Culture Night last year but was unable to because of its cancellation. She said, “I’ve seen culture night before and knew it was something I wanted to do. I’ve never done ballroom dance, so it would be fun to learn something new and to perform.” • Alexia Kaley (top left photo, center) said she decided to make this year’s performance “a little more lively.”Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 9
Cambodia Showing support
10 KE AL AK A‘I
Although only two Cambodians are currently on campus, 12 students rallied together to perform for the club
BY XYRON LEVI CORPUZ
C
lub President Amreth (LeGrand) Phirun, a senior from Cambodia studying communications, said there are currently only two Cambodians on BYU–Hawaii’s campus, him and his wife. The rest of their 12 club member performers are from countries like the Philippines, the United States, Myanmar and Mongolia. For this year’s Culture Night, Phirun said they used four different songs for their performance: two ancient classical songs, one traditional popular dance song and one modern pop song. Choice of music The two ancient classical songs, called the blessing dance and apsara (angelic women) dance, were the first part of their performance, Phirun explained. These dances used to only be performed at the royal palace but are now performed for the tourists of their country, he said. The apsara dance is also performed during various occasions like weddings, birthday parties or the Cambodian new year, he explained. “The apsara dance [is an] ancient one, and was forgotten for decades.” Luckily, he said, the dance was brought back to life in the 1960s when their king’s daughter discovered engraved gestures of the dance on the wall at the Angkor Wat temple. The second part of their performance is called the ken dance. “Ken is a musical instrument played and used by the Northwest Cambodian folk of the country,” he said. During their performance, they used a ken instrument made out of cardboard. Phirun said a modern pop song called, “Love of preserving our ancestral legacy,” was the last part of their presentation.
The dances were difficult to perform because every hand gesture represents something, such as a flower. He said the performers had a difficult time learning to make a perfect hand gesture with power. Preparations Phirun said their club joined Culture Night this year because it only happens once a year and, with the cancellation of last year’s event, they wanted to take this chance to participate. He said it was a good opportunity to share their culture with others. This year, he said, virtual performances were allowed along with the in-person performance because only 25 dancers were allowed to be on stage at once. The Cambodia Club introduction performance included videos of members dancing from the United States, Cambodia and Korea, who are not currently on campus. In addition to the costumes they already had, he said they shipped some costumes from Cambodia. He also bought beads, sprayed them with gold and made them into bracelets. Phirun said it has been a challenge for him to lead the Cambodia Club because he is the only Cambodian student on campus. He said he is grateful for his wife’s support, although she is not eligible to be part of the club presidency because she is not a student. He said he worked together with Lkhagvajargal (Happy) Dalaichuluun to prepare for Culture Night because most of the club’s presidency are on the U.S. mainland. Support Dalaichuluun, a junior from Mongolia majoring in business management, is the first vice president of the club. She said she worked with Phirun for two years at the Polynesian Cultural Center. Even though she is not from Cambodia, she said the most important thing to do when you make friends from other countries is support them. Dalaichuluun said she did that by accepting Phirun’s offer to become the first vice president of the Cambodia Club. She said she just wants to offer support and help the club operate even
though they only have a few members at this time. Dalaichuluun said she has been part of the Cambodia Club every semester since she came to the university about two and a half years ago. Her very first roommate, Samedy Meas, is from Cambodia, which is why she initially joined the chapter. She said she supports the club so they can have enough members to continue and because she has learned a lot about Cambodia. “All of the countries are very beautiful and each is unique in terms of their culture and language,” she said. Another reason she joined the club is it is very different from Mongolia and its culture, she said. Since learning about Cambodia, she said she hopes to visit the country after she graduates. Naw (Cindy) Eh Htoo Shee, a sophomore from Myanmar studying social work, is also a member of Cambodia Club. She said she wanted to experience performing in Culture Night and to participate with other students from different countries. She is grateful she was able to participate this year after last year’s cancellation of Culture Night. When she was a freshman, her friend invited her to be part of the Cambodia Club, she said. “I joined the club. … They were so welcoming and very friendly to me.” Because she felt welcomed, safe and happy in the club, she decided to join this year. She said they did not have a lot of time to practice this year, but she noticed how everyone sacrificed their time and attended practice on time. “Everyone was very helpful, and we taught each other.” She said Cambodia is a neighboring country to her own and she felt close to the place even though they have a different culture and language. She said she thinks because the two places are both in Asia she can relate and connect with them well, which is another reason why she participated.•
Amreth Phirun said every hand gesture represents something in their dance. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos. K E A L A K A ‘I 11
A twist on tradition
China
The China Club delivered live and online performances to showcase traditional dances and music with a modern twist
BY ALEXANDRA CLENDENNING
T
he China Club performers wore silk, flowy red and white traditional Chinese gowns that moved as they danced during Culture Night 2021. The performers smiled as their movements flowed together in sync. Leaving the stage, members came back wearing black pants, T-shirts and jean jackets while the traditional song changed to techno-sounding music, followed by cheers from the audience. The China Club decided to perform a traditional song, showing elegance and yin-yang, but with an “explosive” twist to showcase modern Chinese dancing, the choreographer explained. The 13 live performers were also accompanied by a virtual performance by members in China. The online performance consisted of students Cai Hai and Yi Sheng Xiao playing a traditional instrument, the Gu Zheng and Mang Zhong, who performed a solo traditional dance, according to the Vice President JunJie (Joe) Wu a sophomore from China majoring in marketing. Music and costumes The club choreographer, Joy Tang, a sophomore from Canada studying business management, said they wore hanfu, a Chinese traditional gown that is not only popular for dance, but for everyday life in China, as it is making a comeback in modern-day fashion. Tang explained, “People on the streets are starting to wear this clothing and bring this traditional costume back into style. The hanfu has become just a part of their everyday wardrobe.” Secretary Fei Liu, a sophomore from China studying accounting, explained the hanfu costumes represent the Han Dynasty of China and their power. As for this year’s music, Tang said the club danced to a song called “Mang Zhong.” This song has been used for different dances, she said, and was a great song to showcase their traditional style dance. Tang said they also used a remix of the song to add a modern twist. During the performance, the music was soft and gentle, bringing a sense of peace to the audience. The last dance was full of life and upbeat music and moves. The dancers changed out of their traditional costumes and opted in for street clothes and traditional Chinese fans.
12 KE AL AK A‘I
A close community Tang said joining the China Club has been a way for her to gain friends and join in fun activities. “I really liked the community that we built together in the China Club. They invited me to many Chinese Club activities, including the Culture Night. All these activities were fun, and we have a lot of food,” she said. Liu said she enjoys working with everyone and creating beauty with dance. Everyone is welcome to join the close community of the China Club, she said, adding it is the best place for anyone who is willing to learn and engage in the cultures and traditions of China. She said dancing in Culture Night allowed her to see good in the club members. “I received lots of help from our dance teachers, and it shows their Christ-like characters. They sacrificed their time to choreograph, organize and teach for the show,” she said. Tang said the club members worked diligently to prepare for their performance with regular practices and creating costumes. Because the club had only a month to prepare, she said every practice required efficiency. She explained the club’s regular choreographers went back to China, so she took the initiative to choreograph and teach the dance. Tang also credited her fellow club member, Joe Wu, for being a support to her when it came to teaching the students the choreography. She said, “He offered to practice with anyone who wanted to practice. He always made time from his busy schedule and taught them privately. It is very awesome.” •
Joy Tang (in the top photo) said they wore hanfu, a traditional Chinese gown for their performance. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj.
K E A L A K A ‘I 13
A hula for hauula
Hawaii
Members of the Hawaii Club dedicate this year’s performance to the town of Hauula and its people
BY LAUREN GOODWIN
T
he Hawaii Club delivered a moving performance depicting the story of Hauula and its beauty. Members of the club said through their graceful dance movements, they tried to convey a message of togetherness and expanded the Laie community to its neighboring town of Hauula. Pilialoha Haverly, a junior from Hauula majoring in Hawaiian studies and the vice president of the club, said the coronavirus pandemic has put a lot of strain on BYU–Hawaii students, so she felt this Culture Night was a way for students to unwind. Through their dance, they tried to share a message of love and hope showing the community has been healing from the pandemic, she expressed. She shared the club’s performance highlighted the story of the Hauula town.The dances and the songs they chose described it beautiful scenery and expressed immense love for the people there, she added. Having lived in Hauula for most of her life, Haverly said she is grateful she found songs talking about her side of the island. “Telling a story of my home is so special and sacred through hula dance was amazing,” she exclaimed. Because the dance’s movements were simple, she said she decided to keep the costumes for Culture Night simple as well. The girls wore white topics and black maxi skirts, while the boys wore white shirts and black dress pants.They all wore a multi-colored sash.
14 KE AL AK A‘I
Haverly said the simple costumes made the dancers look unified during their performance. ShangjunYang, a senior from China majoring in hospitality and tourism management, said performing in Culture Night and presenting different cultures brought hope to the community. “People are tired of the pandemic regulations. So seeing something we do annually sent a clear message that everything is going back to normal,” he explained. He shared learning hula dance about the land brought him closer to the island.Yang said he has performed in Culture Night for three years and invited everyone to join and enjoy the cultures here at BYUH. Yang said learning about other cultures can open people’s minds and brings deeper understanding of people’s behaviors. “Experiencing different cultures brings harmony, peace and unity among us,” he added. Mahealani Haverly, a senior from Illinois majoring in hospitality and tourism management and the second vice president of the club, said she looked forward to not only representing her own culture, but also the culture she married into. She explained through joining the Hawaii Club, she learned more about her in-laws’ culture and hula dance. “Living in Hawaii is a blessing, so we should learn and respect the culture here,” she added. She also said her sister-in-law, Pilialoha Haverly, was an immense help as they worked together to get people involved and to put the dance numbers together. •
Pilialoha Haverly (bottom photo, right) said their dance showed a message of love and help by showing healing in the community. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 31
The Great India Club During Culture Night practices, the India Club focused on enjoying the journey and sharing their culture
BY XYRON LEVI CORPUZ
R
ajkumar Tamang, a senior from Kathmandu, Nepal, studying social work, is the secretary of the Great India Club. He said culture and music brings people together. “When there is music going on, it doesn’t matter which country is playing it. We all like to listen to it, to dance with it and to have fun. ... I think I saw that. … [It] brought all of us together,” he said. India Club President Vidya Irene Purushottam, Tamang’s wife and a senior from New Delhi majoring in TESOL education, said the club decided to use the costumes and dances they had prepared for last year’s canceled Culture Night, which were ordered from India. Purushottam said most people assume Indian dances are mostly Bollywood style, so this year they decided to perform different dances from the four corners of India: three folk dances and one classical dance. Rimpy Vinay Jurial, from New Delhi, India, said she joined Culture Night this year because she is very attached to her culture and performing makes her feel closer to her country. It is also a way for her to show respect to her culture, she added.
Enjoying the journey Indian folk dances are comparable to Polynesian dances because they both can tell a historical story, Jurial explained. She said many classical dances come from Hindu scriptures or mythology, which allude to the lifespan or journey of a goddess or a god, she shared. She also said every hand gesture has a meaning, just like in the Hawaiian hula dance.
16 KE AL AK A‘I
Purushottam said the names of the dances are Bhangra from the north, Bihu from the east, Dandiya Raas from the west and Kathak from the south. The club also included Bollywood music because they wanted their performance to be pepped up. Nonetheless, their choreography leans towards these folk dances. Purushottam said their Culture Night practices were focused on “sharing [their] culture, meeting new people and making friends.” Ultimately, she said they wanted to find joy in the journey rather than focusing only on the performance. She said she knew the pandemic often brings uncertainty and there was a possibility they might not have been able to perform. They coped with this possibility, she added, by focusing on what they had control over. Her club does not regret taking part in the Culture Night, Purushottam said. “This is one of those [life] experiences where you remember… the journey is usually more important than just reaching the destination.”
Culture Night preparations Purushottam said their presidency kept their club operating throughout the pandemic because social connection is something people missed the most. “One way to stay connected would be through the clubs, and so we decided to stay active with [our] club,” she noted. In the Great India Club, they not only have performers from India but also from places like Tonga and Samoa, she said. For her, Culture Night is such a unique experience because
students get to meet other people at the club they choose to participate in for the event. She said the club members were careful to follow COVID-19 safety protocol. “[It] took a lot of extra effort to make sure people were tested at the right time so they could practice [the following] week,” she said. “It’s amazing the school allowed us to have Culture Night in the first place [because] you know things are still a little dicey. So we didn’t want to do anything to undo that,” she added. Purushottam said they are grateful to the Club Leadership Team for doing a commendable job in making sure the club is safe during their practices and the people joining them are tested. “It would have been so much harder if we had to do everything by ourselves,” she shared. Tamang said in years past, up to 85 people would dance with their club, and this year they had about 20. He said he definitely missed the people who couldn’t practice and perform with them at Culture Night. Jurial said her favorite dance they performed this year is called Kathak. It comes from the south area of India. Because she is from the north area, she did not get the chance to learn and perform it even though she saw the dance in movies and photos and read about it. “So, this is such a great opportunity for me to learn the dance from the south of my own country,” she said. Jurial said she loved to represent her culture in Culture Night because she could post photos on Facebook to show her friends how respectful she is with her culture.
Additionally, she said she does not have the chance to attend classes and meet others because she is the spouse of a student. Thus, participating in Culture Night was special to her because she got to know other people.
Meaning behind the costumes “One thing that is common for most of our folk dances is the vibrancy of the costumes,” said Purushottam. An example of this is the clicking bells they used in Kathak, she explained. Their costumes also included auspicious hand paintings that are common in India. The men in their performance wore Indian-styled pants, called salwar and long shirts, called kurta, she said. The women wore skirts, called ghagra, black T-shirts and gold Indian-styled scarves, called dupatta. “Gold is considered God in Hindu religion,” Purushottam elaborated. “[The color gold] is significant in festivals and classical dances.” Tamang said he is very happy with the way their practices went because his wife made the steps simple but still in line with the traditional culture. •
Vidya Irene Purushottam (bottom photo) said their costumes were from last year’s Culture Night and are from India. Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 17
Flying high
Kiribati Kiribati Club performed a traditional dance with bird-like movements and a modern dance to reflect BYUH’s international campus
BY ANNA STEPHENSON
K
imberly Tetabwa Tokanang, a junior political science major who hails from Beru Island, Kiribati, is the Kiribati Club choreographer. She said the more modern second half of their Culture Night performance involved movements that came from fishing, their national bird, the frigate bird, and other dance styles. However, she explained in Kiribati culture, they keep these different kinds of dances separate. Tokanang said she had help from her Kiribati friends in creating the choreography to avoid mixing story lines from other dances. She also had help from Angelina Kumkee, Kiribati Club’s president, in instructing the women’s part. After last year’s Culture Night cancellation due to COVID-19, the Kiribati Club was poised and prepared to help make this year’s event better than ever, said Matetewe Teannaua, a senior history major from Tarawa. She said despite other stressful responsibilities, club members practiced hard and danced with great energy during each 9 p.m. rehearsal. Teannaua participated in previous culture nights, she said, but last year’s cancellation was difficult because the Kiribati Club had spent so much time preparing. “This year was kind of rushed,” she explained, describing the short amount of time they had to rehearse. COVID-19 guidelines, which ensured the safety of practices, forced 18 KE AL AK A‘I
the Kiribati Club members to make a lot of adjustments to their routine. Teannaua said they had to cut parts of their routine to comply with social distancing guidelines. Nonetheless, Teannaua said she is grateful the Kiribati Club danced this year, even with the changes that had to be made. Tamuera Samuel Tune, a sophomore computer science major, from Tarawa, Kiribati is one of the club officers. His first Culture Night was supposed to be last year, but after it was canceled due to the pandemic, he said he’d been waiting for another chance. He explained, “The Kiribati Club performed in two sections. The first section was the original, traditional dance. The second section was a mixed dance of traditional and modern. The costumes … were made by the club president and the other Kiribati students.” He expressed excitement to be able to share his culture with the community. Moantaeka Bokai, a sophomore majoring in social work from Maiana Island, Kiribati, also planned to participate in Culture Night last year. Of this year’s performance, he said, “The whole Kiribati dance is kind of interesting to me because it’s more complicated than it seems. … A lot of students here who are from Kiribati don’t really dance that much back home. Now they have the opportunity to dance, which is pretty cool. We get to perform and try and build up our own confidence.”
According to Bokai, the choreographer Tokanang is really good because she “has been dancing her whole life.” Bokai said, “People who really dance back home really know the … motions, and they know how to do them right. [Tokanang] could teach men and women how to do their moves.” Tokanang explained in Kiribati, a dance teacher from either gender can teach both males and females. Women and men normally learn different parts, but some parts are danced by both. As the choreographer, she said she taught the men’s part and danced with them at practice. She added this made practices somewhat unusual and fun. She said she aimed to convey feelings of happiness and love in the choreography. “The first [dance] was traditional … as close to our tradition as we can. The song we performed to is sort of a romantic song. It involves … happy feelings, … a guy courting a girl.” The traditional Kiribati dance involved movements that mimic birds. Tokanang referred to the bird on Kiribati’s flag, the frigate bird, as representative of their dancing traditions. “We tell a story of happiness and getting the target.” The second part of their performance integrated Kiribati-style dancing with other styles from around the Pacific, as well as Indian and Western styles of dance. She explained the inspiration for this was the diverse and international atmosphere of BYUH. •
Kimberly Tokanang said their dance movements were fashioned after their national bird’s movements and fishing. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 27
20 KE AL AK A‘I
Mongolia There will come a new day The Mongolian Club’s performance brings a message of hope as they say, ‘The sun will rise tomorrow’
BY ALEXANDRA CLENDENNING
D
espite reduced rehearsal hours and fewer members, Mongolian Club members were seen smiling from ear to ear while displaying traditional dances and costumes. The club choreographer said although they faced challenges, they never last forever. “Good times will come soon, and we have to hope for the next day to live, love and cherish,” Narantsatsral Ganzorigt said. Ganzorigt, the club’s choreographer, is a sophomore from Mongolia studying exercise and sport science. She said this year the Mongolian Club performed two dances with two different meanings. The dance started slow and soft with the goal of spreading a bright, hopeful message to the audience, she said. Ganzorigt said the first dance’s music is called, “The rising sun,” which is about two lovers who have been separated for three years. “The lovers hope that someday they will meet again, so they start each day with new hope. Just like how we wanted to express how hope can help us get through hard times.” Club Vice President Munkhgerel Purev, a junior from Mongolia double majoring in accounting and psychology, said the second performance was full of upbeat music and movements, as it represented young Mongols joining together. “That is why it is much more lively and fast-paced, to show the energy and enthusiasm of Mongolian youth,” she added. Mongolia Club President Janlavtsogzol Battulga, a senior from Mongolia studying accounting, expressed, “We all went through a tough time this past year with so much anxiety and stress due to the global pandemic. We want to share that no matter how many bad days we have, there is always a next day that starts with a beautiful sunrise.”
Ganzorigt said she loves to choreograph new dances and enjoys teaching people who want to learn. She shared she loves working and performing alongside her team members. They have worked diligently to learn and share the culture of Mongolia, she said. Ganzorigt expressed, “I feel great love and sense of belonging when we dance together and express the same idea through our performance. I see them as my family members. It is very fun and delightful.” Even though Ganzorigt had to change her style of teaching and her team had a limited time to practice, she said she always remembered, “No matter how bad the weather is today, the sun will rise again tomorrow.” Battulga shared even though the set-up of Culture Night is different from previous years, the message and the purpose to showcase different cultures represented at BYUH, has never changed. She expressed, “We have students from over 70 different countries around the world. Culture Night gives us an opportunity to see different cultures through their art and know how talented the students at our school are. That’s what makes Culture Night so amazing.” Club officials said they tried to be efficient and focused on their rehearsals since they had limited time due to COVID-19. Purev said the club has more than 80 members, but only 20 performed this year. Purev said they followed school guidelines to keep their members safe during rehearsals. “We only practiced for two hours a week on two different days. In practices, we kept socially distanced, wore masks and got tested weekly.” • Narantsatsral Ganzorigt (in the top right photo wearing blue) said the first dance is about two lovers who were seperated. Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos. K E A L A K A ‘I 21
Philippines A message of hope
The Philippines Club pays tribute to essential workers in their home country and around the world
BY LISI TIAFAU
F
or the Philippines Club presidency and students, they said their dance at BYU– Hawaii’s Culture Night is all about hope. Amid the pandemic, they expressed they sent a message of gratitude and optimism to all those who work hard to keep the world safe. The significance of the performance The Philippines Club President Gerome Romero, a sophomore from the Philippines studying biochemistry, shared their performance consisted of two parts: a contemporary dance and a hip hop dance. The first dance contained a very important message and “is our tribute to those who were affected by the pandemic, but most especially to the essential workers around the world.” Their hip hop dance was a taste of modern culture, Romero said. “We want to showcase the talent of our people and their characters through our dances.” The club members’ T-shirts were imprinted with the word “matatag,” meaning resilient, Romero explained. The club showed resilience, he said, by having both virtual and
22 KE AL AK A‘I
physical practices while maintaining physical distance to ensure everyone’s safety. Duane Cespedes Pigao and Brandon Kyle Sorilla, both BYUH students from the Philippines, were the choreographers who taught club members the dances for free, Romero explained. “Our performances sent a message of hope and encouragement.” He said for the club, sharing their culture with others gives them the hope that they will be understood and accepted as Filipinos. Filipino blood is strong and no matter where they are, Romero expressed, they are strong and can overcome challenges together. Importance of Culture Night Vice President Joshua Sanchez, a junior from the Philippines studying IT, said, “It is a blessing to be in a diverse school with so many cultures. “Culture Night is an opportunity for us to show people our talent and culture,” he said. The Philippines Club decided to participate because the members wanted to show support and respect toward BYUH, Sanchez added.
Romero remarked Culture Night “will be a night to remember” and is important to him and to the club members. “Culture Night is a night we can showcase and share our culture and heritage, not only with BYUH but also with the world,” shared Romero. He stated even with the COVID-19 restrictions, having the event is a blessing to the students. Amid the pandemic, the Philippines were struck with floods causing people to lose their homes and properties, Romero explained. He said members of the club were worried about their families back home, but Culture Night was a welcome distraction. Vice President Mary Anne Lupisan, a senior studying business management, said, “With the ongoing pandemic and changes, we are eager to still participate in Culture Night.” Club members get a sense of excitement and joy from Culture Night, she shared. “We are grateful to even have Culture Night.” •
Gerome Romero said sharing their culture with others brings them hope. Photos by Mark Daeson Tabbilos and Ulziibayar Badamdorj.
K E A L A K A ‘I 23
Samoa
united & strong Members of the Samoan Club say this year’s performance honors the strength and grace of their loved ones
BY ALEXANDER TUMALIP
R
emembering the disappointment of last year’s Culture Night cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students from the Samoan Club expressed gratitude for the student leaders who helped organize this year’s event and shared the personal and cultural significance of their performance. Anna Fogavai, president of the Samoan Club and a senior studying hospitality and tourism management, said last year the club understood the potential effects COVID-19 would have on campus events. She said this year the real heroes are the leaders behind the scenes. “It’s going to be a smaller-scale Culture Night than normal, but we’ll be able to celebrate these cultures because of those students.” Fogavai said her club’s performance spoke volumes about their upbringings in Samoa. She shared the first dance for the women portrayed not only the importance of women in Samoan culture, but also their strength. Her grandmother was an example of great strength, Fogavai added. She explained her grandmother was widowed and raised 10 children on her own. She had no work experience, she said. After her grandfather passed away, Fogavai said her grandmother turned to the Lord in prayer, knowing that relying on Him would help her raise the family. Fogavai said her grandmother’s faith is something she looks up to. “She was not wise in worldly things, but she knew how to raise her children. That is what we represent in our dance, the strength of women like my grandmother.” Teila Fisher, Samoan Club treasurer and a senior studying social work, said the performance showed students what separated the club from the stereotypical Samoans being just happy or relatives of rugby or football players. 24 KE AL AK A‘I
Fisher said the women’s performance showed women can be independent and strong, yet graceful and calming in the Samoan culture. She said her mother showed those qualities. She explained after her father passed away, her mother raised 13 children as a single housewife with no job or college degree by doing handicrafts. These crafts, according to Fisher, included sewing their own clothes and weaving mats, which she sold in their village. “As a single mother, she was able to make money and still put us through school, missions and college,” Fisher remembered. She said her mother would help any family or community member who needed it. She added many people went to her funeral because they all got to experience her love, concern and the sacrifices she made in their behalf. “I realize she could have given up, have us be adopted or just die of heartbreak. Because her will was so strong, her priority was to be the mother for all her children.” Ian Seiuli, a member of the Samoan Club and a senior studying IT, shared Culture Night is not about just portraying the culture, but also an opportunity to share and learn from one another. “Culture Night is what makes BYUH unique,” he said. “It’s especially significant this year because we are trying to send a positive, optimistic message that the future is bright for us.” Seiuli said the male section of their performance represented the masculinity of Samoan men as the protectors and providers of the family. He explained the dance did not attempt to place women in a bad light, but how they share responsibilities in a relationship. He said a perfect example was his mother because she was open minded and optimistic. Seiuli, who is married, said he also recognizes the importance of sharing the load in a relationship. “To accomplish something
successfully, you need to work together,” he said. “It gets more difficult when you work alone, and it’s never easy to fix things on your own.” Steve Vaiouga, member of the Samoan Club and a senior studying social work, said joining the club was a way to connect with his culture and to uplift and learn from others. He said the club held activities, like family home evening, to keep the club connected. “We have our own struggles, and we sometimes don’t get to share that. Being part of the club gives me that opportunity to share my experiences with others,” Vaiouga said. Although he did not participate in Culture Night, Vaiouga said the event still taught him to appreciate his culture and to remember his roots. “I love the ability to appreciate others’ cultures at BYUH. Understanding others’ cultures can bring us together, no matter where we come from.” He said Fogavai exemplifies the Samoan culture of love and respect. “She always goes out of her way to serve others. She also deals with adversity calmly and sees it as an opportunity to think about what she needs to do to bring students together.” Fisher encouraged students to share their culture by learning about their ancestors. She and her husband made a goal to send their children to Samoa every summer to experience their culture, she explained. “It’s still worth telling people and showing them where your ancestors lived,” she said. “You can learn the language, but you can’t experience culture through a textbook.You can’t appreciate it until you’ve experienced it yourself.” Seiuli said understanding culture starts with respecting your parents and learning obedience from a young age. “You don’t learn important values from movies or from other people,” he said. “When you learn from your family, you learn the truth.” •
Anna Fogavai (dancing in a tuiga headdress on the top left photo) said their first dance showed the strength and importance of women in Samoan culture. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj.
K E A L A K A ‘I 21
18 KE AL AK A‘I
Performances from left to right: the Philippines, Ballroom Dance, Hawaii, Samoa, Cambodia, India, Mongolia and China. Photos by Ulziibayar Badamdorj and Mark Daeson Tabbilos.
K E A L A K A ‘I 19