PHOTOGRAPHER IN AWE of “TIAPAPATA POMU Competition”
Winner of Tiapapata Pomu Competition, Bike Category, Yassamin Malaeloa Sealiimalietoa.
Photo by Denisa Maňásková Photography
The photographer came across the "Tiapapata Village Pomu Competition" and documented the excitement this underrated show was all about. Denisa Mañásek captured this rare artform and shares with us stunning images of the event.
As Samoa heads into the season of festivities with all the Christmas decor in Apia , the village of Tiapapata were all geared up on Saturday last weekend for a different type of decor and a day of "pimp my ride". The new competition was captured by Czech Republic Photographer Denisa Mañásek who has been based in Samoa for almost 3 years with her partner Adam Vilkus who joined the crowd during the show down.
Several residents of the area showed up to cheer and celebrate the creativity that was displayed at the competition. According to Denisa the lovely family they are currently staying with was also a part of the competition and when she found out about it she grabbed her camera and was ready to capture history.
"The lovely Samoan family we are currently staying with were also participants of the competition. So we decided to join the fun" she said as soon as they heard.
This was the first time an official competition for this type of art festivity, and the turn up in front of Lina's shop at Tiapapata did not disappoint. Two categories were assigned for 17 registered participants who competed, one was called the "Bike n Toy Car" category.
The ecofriendly event also included a recycling category called the "Recycle Carts & Wheelbarrow" that would allow participants to be as creative as they can with reusable plastics. Some of the competitors had transformed normal bikes and baby carts into astonishing creations , with lights and smoke.
Yassamin Malaeloa Sealiimalietoa who won the Bike category alongside her brother Vaisuala'o, who won the Recycle division wowed the crowd as both of their exhibit became the best overall.
As Denisa captured the innovative designs these bikers have created. She stated that this was one of the many aspects that caught her attention from this spectacular event.
"What I really found interesting is the huge creativity that was poured into the decoration and how the competitors made their own bikes and toy cars" Denisa, responding to EyeSpy Radio in an email.
Khosrow Siisiialafia of Samoa Grassroot Studio collaborated with the local Junior Youth Group in planning this event which was then kindly sponsored by Gus Bone Audio, Big n Small and Polynesian Designs (Nicci Tongia)
“Thanks to the youth and adults of Tiapapata for supporting this initiative, as well as friends and families who came to witness this historic event” stated Khosrow during the acknowledgements.
Denisa Mañásek is no stranger to the tropical life of the 685, together with her partner, Adam Vilkus. The couple have captured the essence and beauty of Samoa in a documentary genre or style, depicting the culture and everyday living of being Samoan.
Plans for the future of Tiapapata Pomu Competition is bright , the directors and creators of the event is set to annually host more competitions to celebrate the uniqueness of its Art form.
Khosrow Siisiialafia of Samoa Grassroots Studio.
Photo: Denisa Maňásková Photography