In te Ruoia, rows of dancers hold short decorated sticks and strike them in time, against each other and on the ground, to make a strong, steady beat. Singers and a wooden box drum keep everyone together, and the clack of the sticks is like the islands' own music.
Kiribati dancing is famous for its sharp, sudden movements and the way dancers hold their arms wide, like a frigatebird spreading its wings. Every move has meaning, and dancers train hard to move as one. The dance tells stories and welcomes visitors.
Because Kiribati is so far out in the ocean, dances like te Ruoia are a proud way of keeping the islands' culture strong and sharing it with the world. Children learn the steps from older family members, so the dance is passed on like a treasure.