Back on my island people believe that nature define who people are. In believing this, They substitute each plant to clans, in which every person must take from their mothers. To explain this easier, I will use my clan as an example, clan was derived from the little red flower, which is called "Gachyow" back on my island I am sure you see it in every tropical island but as far as my clan is concerned we take after this little flower. although we do not usually talk about our clans publicly due to other people knowing our weaknesses I figured it would be an interesting subject to share. As told by my mother and grandmother this flower is both beautiful and ugly. the explanation is that it can not hide, it is always easy to spot because when fixing the traditional lei it is always on top. It can not be on the bottom you can always see it on the lei. the upside story of my clan is that we are always seen, and so whatever we do we will be acknowledged for what we do. if we do something good it is viewed as a unique and admirable thing again, because we can not hide our deeds, if we were to do a bad thing, we are to be the center of humiliation, whereas no one will ever forget what wrong we have done and that is the downside to the story of my clan and how we are defined. So our lessons are to be careful with life unless we want to be acknowledged too much.
As I have said each person takes after their mother therefore only a mother and her children are of the same clan, and the daughters pass on the clan name. some clans have gone extinct because some mothers only bore boys and then they can not pass on the clan name and ways. some clans are cursed with their own ways. As said by the people of my island, clans have both good and bad sides, if they claim good deeds, they will be good people for many years and generations, but if ever, they were to do bad deeds, they will be cursed to only good deeds for many years and generations. The people in the clans can not marry each other even if they their ties have become very far. It's the same as marrying your own family.
Not only do clans derive from plants, some people's clans derive from animals, fish, birds and words. The ones I know are Dolphins, Mice, Bananas, Sharks, Mushrooms, Ginger. but there are many more. My relatives have all come from these clans i have mentioned.
But, I like to think that Traditional Dancing on my home is more than that. Its is a story which keeps traditions and people alive. It keeps a community together as one and keeps the children from turning to bad influence because it is a daily thing and there isn't time to do other things rather than being home. but, in these modern times it has become much harder to keep people and traditions together. Here is a video from YouTube that will show you how much practice and togetherness a dance portrays when there is a performance held somewhere. Click on the highlighted words please:
