Culture

Dance
Like the tattoo, the Polynesian dance - considered by the missionaries as a too erotic dance – had to be practiced in secret until the beginning of the XXth century. The “tamure” is practiced in pair whereas the “ori Tahiti” – including slow and quick movements – is practiced in group, to the rhythm of percussions, songs, guitars and ukulele. Power and charm, symbolic body movements, beautiful ornaments (costumes, multicoloured flower garlands) characterize the Tahitian dance which isn’t limited only to tourists shows but still is a popular practice, an element of social cohesion. Besides, the highest elevation of the Tahitian dance is the Heiva i Tahiti (the July festivities), during which many dancing groups compete. Now, the fact that some dancing groups, as “les Grands Ballets de Tahiti” are on tour on the international stages is a testimony of their artistic validity.

Music
Polynesians welcome their visitors with songs and cheerful instrumental music along with scented flower leis; a custom that says a lot for their happy nature and their sense of hospitality! And the music which they express in polyphonic group singing and in sacred churchmusic as well as in the percussion rhythms of the pahu and toere, traditional instruments, and in the guitar and ukulele harmonies of their “kaina” bands...

Tattoo and dance: the cultural revival
From the XVIIIth century, European navigators indicated the existence of tattooing in Tahiti. Tattooing was prohibited at the time of the missionaries, but it didn’t disappear at all. For the Polynesians, tattoo is a mean of asserting their ma’ohi cultural identity and it favours the use of black colour to the detriment of the other. Inspired from vegetal or animal geometry, tattoo
has most of the time a symbolic signification. Men and women display the tattoo as jewel. Thus, contrary to the “occidental “intimist” approach, the tattoo is made to be seen at first. From some years, there has seen a new generation of particularly gifted tattooers Tahiti and Her Islands whose talents are more and more solicited by the passing tourists. Besides, these tattooers export now their art by the way of participating in various shows abroad.