TÁTAOTAO is a new dance work that creates a sacred space as a portrait of the world we want to live in. This project will involve Matao artists from Låguas and the Diaspora coming together to put their life stories in conversation with their ancestral stories of Creation, migration, and myth. The weaving of these experiences, timelines, and lineages reveal the innate ancestral intelligence Indigenous people activate to navigate the turbulent waters of systemic oppression. Chanted dance evokes a ceremonial consciousness that invites the community into deeper awareness of our interconnectedness with all life. In this moment we invite healing for all as we dance with the life force of Creation.
Migai Ma'åse nu i Manaotao Matao, Tongva yan dxʷdəwʔabš. In Neni Hamyo'. This work is being developed in relationship to three bio-cultural regions Låguas, Tongva Territory, and dxʷdəwʔabš Territory. Låguas is also momentarily known as 'The Mariånas Islands" and/or Guåhan (Guam) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariånas Islands and Matao/CHamoru/Chamorro people are the indigenous peoples of this place. Tongva Territory is momentarily known as Los Angeles and is the ancestral home of the Tongva peoples. dxʷdəwʔabš Territory is momentarily known as 'Seattle' and ancestrally understood as the home of the dxʷdəwʔabš (Duwamish) and is also culturally significant to the Suquamish, Puyallup, Muckleshoot, and Tulalip Nations. The core thirteen artists developing this work live in and/or are ancestrally connected to these lands. We affirm the inherent dignity, self-determination, and integrity of the ancestors, guardians, and life ways of the land in which we work.
Estimated Artist Fee: $10-30,000/performance, $45-50,000/week long residency, or $3000-5,000/ virtual engagement.
