MAKING FRIENDS AT THE NATIONAL KENU & KUNDU FESTIVAL

There were a few extra days in my schedule before the boat left for Misima Island, where I would begin filming the documentary. Because of this "free time," I made a new friend who performed at the Kenu Festival with his dance group.

Thomas Daniel asked me to film him. He was eager for others—local to Alotau and outsiders like me—to know about his dance group, traditions, and community. Thomas asked that before I leave to Misima to edit his footage and give him a copy to keep. The chances our paths would cross again are null. He wanted to keep a copy of the stories he told me on a small memory disk. It would be a visual keepsake, “Something to preserve his culture's traditional songs and dances” he said.

This story vignette is a low-resolution copy of what I could create for Thomas off my small laptop before leaving for Misima Island the next day. It was a beautiful opportunity to meet Thomas, hear his music, and watch him perform with his dance group at the National Kenu and Kundu Festival in the capital of Milne Bay.