'Are Inau Ka Waeria 'Are'Are

‘Are Inau Ka Waeria ‘Are’are “The attitude of ‘Me, Me’ is destroying ‘Are’are people and their culture.” This song is a reflection on a growing challenge within the ‘Are’are community—the spirit of “me first, me only, what can I get?” When individual interests become more important than family, community, tradition, and collective responsibility, the values that have held our people together begin to weaken. ‘Are Inau Ka Waeria ‘Are’are is a call to remember who we are. Our language, customs, traditional knowledge, music, land, relationships, and respect for one another are part of the heritage handed down by our ancestors. They cannot survive if we continue to put personal gain above the wellbeing of our people. This song is not about blaming individuals. It is a message for all of us—to look within, to care for one another, and to put “we” before “me.” If we lose our culture, we lose a part of ourselves. ‘Are’are must live. ‘Are’are must remember. ‘Are’are must stand together.