Culture
The ‘Ori Tahiti phenomenon worldwide
The dance is emblematic of Polynesia. ‘Ori Tahiti, rooted in the early Polynesian migrations (around 1500-1000 BC), is an integral part of Ma’ohi culture. Generations have passed down the steps and their meanings. Significant life moments and the rhythms of the seasons have been marked by the beat of dances. Stronger than writing, dance has […]
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Tahiti, whales in sight
A spray bursts forth at about 50-70 kilometers per hour, emerging three meters above the surface of the Tahitian lagoon. A leap from an acrobat weighing several tons, measuring 12 to 16 meters in length, with a pectoral fin of 4 to 5 meters, reveals the silhouette of a cetacean. From the hydrophone rise the […]
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Tattooing, Polynesia in your skin
Arms and legs adorned with elaborate designs are on display and on show. Since the ’80s, Polynesian tattoos have been rolled up their sleeves and displayed all over the world. The craze for this ancestral practice has crossed borders and seduced all social categories. The first to export it were sailors calling at the […]
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The enigmatic “marae” of Tahiti & her islands
The enigmatic “marae”, ancient places of worship Outside of Tahiti and her islands, the “marae” arouse as much interest and interrogation as the mysterious “Moai” of Easter Island. In many respects, the marae are part of the great enigmas of the South Pacific. The marae were places of sacred worship and open-air temples of ancient pagan […]
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The mysterious «tahu’a», Polynesian priests
The mysterious «tahu’a», Polynesian priests of the pre-Christian era: The oral tradition of Tahiti and her Islands always evokes “tahu’a” as key figures in the religious, social and cultural life of ancient Polynesian societies. With deep knowledge and mysterious powers in many areas, tahu’a were recognized, influential and respected. They were sometimes feared because no […]
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The great art of the emblematic «tifaifai»
Crafts of Tahiti and her Islands – The great art of the emblematic «tifaifai»: The “Tifaifai” is actually some kind of a patchwork that historically corresponds to a local adaptation of the art of making the British kilt (the kilt of Scottish origin, being itself a form of patchwork). In fact, the spouses of the […]
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Unique Tahiti Black Pearls
Famous all over the world for their uniqueness and beauty : Tahiti pearls are better known as Tahiti black pearls. The word is poerava in Tahitian, for “poe” the pearl and “rava” black. Are Tahitian black pearls really black? No, but almost: they can be extremely dark but they are very rare: they are for the […]
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100+ tahitian first names and their meanings
You want to choose a Polynesian name for your child? Discover more than 100 Tahitian names for boy or girl with their meaning. Names full of poetry, sunshine and Pacific ocean from the other side of the world! The Tahitian language (or ” Reo Tahiti “) is used in the Society Islands, in French Polynesia. Although French is predominantly used, Tahitian […]
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Miss Tahiti, the beauty of the Pacific
The beauty of Polynesian women is not a myth. Beautiful skins golden by the sun, brown hair in cascades topped with tiare flowers, coconut fragrance; many sailors have been charmed by these island sirens. Paul Gauguin has devoted part of his life to painting their exotic beauty. The Miss France 2019 scarf proudly worn by Vaimalama Chaves bears the […]
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The marae Taputapuatea
“16°50’15”south, 151°21’32” west, these are the GPS coordinates that will lead you to the heart of Polynesian spirituality. Head to the marae Taputapuatea, at the heart of the Society Islands, on the island of Raiatea. In Polynesian cultures, long before the arrival of colonists, the marae is a sacred space. It is a natural place, without […]
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