Local Maritime Cultures Celebrated At Moompetam, The Aquarium’s Eleventh Annual Native American Festival

Several tribes will be represented at the Aquarium through live music and dance, cultural craft presentations, and artifacts of daily life.

Envision what our region was like several hundreds of years ago and learn about the various tribes that maintain their historical connection to the ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Moompetam: Gathering of the Salt Water People. The Aquarium’s eleventh annual Native American festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 19-20, 2015. This event will feature traditional music, dance, storytelling, cultural craft demonstrations, and educational programs. Families will be able to participate in arts and crafts for all ages as well as other activities inspired by local indigenous maritime cultures. Native American artists will present cultural materials, such as basketry, items of adornment, and artifacts of daily life.

Moompetam (pronounced \’mohm peh tahm\), meaning “People of the Ocean,” is derived from the word for saltwater in the Tongva language. For the local, coastal, and island indigenous people of Southern California, the ocean has always been a sacred entity. The maritime native peoples that inhabited ocean waters for thousands of years, including the Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay, were taught to deeply respect the ocean. The ocean environment is reflected in all aspects of their cultures.

WHEN:           Saturday & Sunday, September 19-20, 2015, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE:         Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST:            Moompetam is included with general admission—$28.95 adult (12+), $25.95 senior (62+), $14.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age 3 and Aquarium members

INFO:              (562) 590-3100 or www.aquariumofpacific.org

With coupon adults receive $10 OFF admission. Regular $28.95, just $18.95 with coupon!

PDF COUPONS:

Attached is a coupon flyer PDF for each festival. Everyone is invited to post this coupon on the internet and Facebook. Anyone can also share it by email, or print and distribute it as noted on the coupon.

MOBILE COUPONS:

• Moompetam Native American Festival: Go to this link and show the coupon on your mobile device at the ticket window:aquariumofpacific.org/fest1
• Southeast Asia Day: Go to this link and show the coupon on your mobile device at the ticket window:aquariumofpacific.org/fest3

*Showing a PDF or image of the printable flyer on your mobile device will not be accepted.

We have teamed up for a Giveaway! One winner will win a Family 4-Pack of tickets to attend the event! To enter, leave a comment below telling us your favorite exhibit at the Aquarium. Deadline to enter  is September 16, 2015 at noon PST. One winner will randomly be selected via Random.org.

AQUARIUM:  The nonprofit Aquarium of the Pacific is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and where important challenges facing our planet are explored by scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in search of sustainable solutions. The Aquarium is dedicated to conserving and building nature and nature’s services by building the interactions between and among peoples. Home to more than 11,000 animals, Aquarium exhibits include the June Keyes Penguin Habitat, Ocean Science Center, Molina Animal Care Center, the interactive Shark Lagoon and Lorikeet Forest exhibits, and the new Jellies exhibits. Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs for people of all ages, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. The Aquarium has won a 2015 Travelers’ Choice Award for Aquariums, as awarded by TripAdvisor® travelers. The Aquarium offers memberships with unlimited FREE admission for 12 months, VIP Entrance, and other special benefits. For more information, visit www.aquariumofpacific.org

Credit: Info and Photo provided courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific.