Saung-Gauk (Burmese harp)

This term, our theme is identity... Today I had to find an instrument from my culture and answer two questions about it. A Saung-Gauk is a Burmese harp that is well known around Burma. 

Covid-19 Hygiene

Since Covid-19 is becoming a huge part in our lives, we decided to make posters of how to keep clean during Coronavirus. This list is based for people people my age and how THEY can be safe. Hygiene is a really important thing that children should learn about and I hope this helps you out!

Matariki Crossword

In class, we have being doing some fun activities relating to Matariki. Here is a crossword that I have completed - The words include Matariki and the 6 sister names. In my opinion this was a really enjoyable activity and was quite easy! 

The Maori Calendar

Since Matariki is coming up, we decided to learn about the Maori heritage. Here is a slideshow showing a brief description about the Maori Calendar. I think it is important for us to learn about the Maori culture, because we all live in New Zealand. 

Venn Diagram

Here is a venn diagram with the differences of the mummification process and Burmese funerals. The mummification process is an Ancient Egyptians tradition that revolves all around by the belief of making it to the afterlife. While Burmese funerals, are simply done by praying and cremating the deceased body.

Connections Task - Pyramids

For our connections task for last week Monday, we had to find ten reasons why the Marae is important to our country... I found out that the Marae is a sacred place to the Polynesians identity (mostly Maoris) and that it is also a place where cultural events are held. I have been to the Marae a few times and I know that it is a very special and beautiful place.

Panikeke Mafolafola

Last week we made Panikeke Mafolafola (Samoan Pancakes). I was apart of a group with Josephine, Tracey, Sar Yar Chan & Paris and we made Panikeke Mafolafola for room 11, 12 & 13. We all had turns working on different steps and made quite a lot of Panikeke Mafolafolas. My team used a lot of teamwork and gave all our effort to the making of the dish. Firstly, we added all the dry ingredients into the bowl and beat them all up. Then we made a well out of the dry additives and started gradually pouring water into the hole. We mixed the batter firmly and made sure it was liquid enough. Half way through our mixing, we added an egg and stirred everything together. A couple minutes later, the batters were as liquidy as water, so we started pouring little portions of them onto the heated pan covered with oil. Tracey, Sar Yar Chan & Paris fryed the batters while Josephine & I added all the side dishes onto the cooked Panikeke Mafolafola. Soon after, we finally finished all of our Panikeke Mafolafolas and tasted them... it was amazing! 

Connections Task

Task: What is a typical dinner meal you have at home? Create a doc and write down the recipe for how it’s made. Include images.

Dinner Meals I Have - 

1. Burmese Biryani
2. Khaosay Thote
3. Burmese Chicken Curry
4. Laphet
5. Samosa

How to make Burmese Chicken Curry: 

1. Firstly, cook the brown rice in unsalted water 
2. Dice the onions and mince the garlic and ginger. Set aside.
3.  Cut chicken into 1 inch (2.5 cm) bite-size pieces. Set aside. 
4. Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large pot. Stir in the turmeric and cook for one minute. 5. Add the minced garlic, grated fresh ginger, cayenne, cumin, coriander seeds and garam masala. You can substitute ground coriander for the whole seed but the flavour is better with the whole coriander seed. Stir and saute the mixture for about 1 minute. 
5. Add chicken to the pot and stir to coat with the onions and spices. Add the cinnamon stick (snapped half), followed by the curry leaves (or bay leaf) and chicken broth. Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally. 
6. Stir in dried red lentils and coconut milk. Cover and simmer for an additional 30 minutes until lentils are dissolved and sauce is smooth. Stir occasionally. 
7. Stir in the fish sauce and salt. Serve over cooked brown rice and garnish with fresh cilantro (optional garnish). 

Koko Alaisa Recipe

On last week Monday, Room 12 made Koko Alaisa for the whole senior block. Here is a recipe on how to make it. In my opinion Koko Alaisa is a fabulous dish and tastes really good. I would recommended this dish to anyone who wants an experience of Samoan food.

Sina & The Eel

Sina & The Eel 

Have you ever heard about the legend of how the coconut came to Samoa? If you haven’t, well you're in luck because I am going to tell you all about the legend of Sina and the eel…

It all began, when a precious eel grew a friendship with a beautiful girl named Sina. He demanded her love and wouldn’t let her go out of his sight. The eel kept on following Sina everywhere she went. When she knew that she couldn’t hold any power against the eel, she went to her relatives for help. She told them how the eel was dangering her and soon her cousin was sent to approach the eel. Her cousin slit the eel’s head and on the eel’s last breath, he told Sina that he wished to be buried. One day, a valuable coconut tree started surfacing from the eel's buried head. His remembrance is now faced onto the coconut, as the coconut makes a representation of his face. 

Now when Sina drinks from the coconut, it is actually an effect of her kissing the eel. This legend has been told through many generations and it is a wonderful samoan legend. The eel is now praised for his mighty gift!