TARD trio help showcased Solomon dances at the FSM Cultural Night

Three active members of the To'abaita Authority for Research and Development (TARD) who we commonly refer to as the "TARD FSM Trio", have successfully showcased various Solomon Island cultural dances with other Solomon students at the Fiji School of Medicine's cultural night in Suva on Saturday last week.

Lynly Galie and James Faneagalo with Solomon dancers

The three members are Ms Alice Siuna (5th year MBBS student), Ms Lynly Galie (1st year medical lab technology student), and Mr James Faneagalo (pharmacy student). These three students are the only TARD members who are studying at the Fiji School of Medicine (FSM).

James Faneagalo and the Solomon boys

The Fiji School of Medicine cultural night is an annual event that always happens every year in the FSM calender. It is a time where all the different countries that attended the FSM showcase their cultural dances.

Alice Siuna and Lynly Galie in their traditional costumes

Solomon Islands (SI) students studying at the FSM are so proud of where they are from, therefore despite their usual last minute practices, they always steal the show because of the usual way of dressing which is in "Kabilato". This year the Tikopian cultural dressing was showcased by two of the SI students from Tikopia, Ms Emire M and Mr Peter N, which was followed by the SI items. The boys put on items from Isabel and Tikopia while the girls performed the Western Solomon and Isabel Dances.

Alice being flanked by two Tikopian dancers in traditional costumes

This annual event usually took place at Civic center, which is in the heart of Suva City, but this year it was held at the National Gymnasium, which is close to the University of the South Pacific. Finally, the Solomon Islands Medical Student Association (SIMSA) would like to thank some USP students who were part of the spectators on Saturday night and hoping to get the same moral support again in 2007.

photos by Alice @FSM