Legacy Siva Afi

Honoring a Cultural Legacy

The Chief's Legacy

As written by Paramount Chief Letuli

In 1946 at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, I started the fireknife dance of Samoa. I was intrigued by a Hindu fire eater and a young girl twirling her baton fitted with light bulbs on either end. All of us were rehearsing our particular talents to perform for the Shrinerʻs Convention.

I asked the Hindu man for some of his white gas, and I wrapped a towel around the blade of my knife. While not perfect, the Flaming Sword of Samoa became a reality.

Many people helped me and advised me on the materials to use to hold the fire to my knives and, in turn, I did my best to perfect the fire knife and to pass this talent on to others.

I did not dream that the fire knife dance would become so widespread, nor that so many people with such diverse backgrounds would pursue the Samoan Fire Knife Dance.

I thank Pulefano Galea'i and the people at the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie, Hawaii for hosting the World Fire Knife Competition every year. I also thank Lene Leota and the Ailao Club from the Independent State of Samoa for hosting the annual Fire Knife Competition in Samoa. Finally, my heartfelt thanks to Flaming Sword of Samoa for bringing the World Fire Knife Competition home to American Samoa.