Nauruan dancers make their rattles from the shells of small molluscs found on the reef and beach. A bundle of shells tied together and shaken in time with the music creates a rapid, shimmering sound that cuts through the warm air like something alive. The shells are light enough to shake quickly, creating complex rhythms as different dancers shake at different times.
The movements in traditional Nauruan dance are fluid and expressive — arms ripple like ocean waves, feet step in steady rhythms, and the whole body tells part of the story. Costumes often include woven pandanus leaves, bright fabrics, and flowers. The overall effect is joyful and beautiful.
Young Nauruans learn these dances from their elders, practising the movements and rhythms until they become second nature. Performing at a community celebration is a mark of cultural pride. The dance connects each new generation to the generations that came before them, all the way back to the earliest Nauruan islanders.