Culture
The Punaru’u Valley: Where Oranges Must Be Earned
The Orange Carriers of the Punaru’u Valley: A Living, Sacred Tradition of Punaauia Nestled in the steep heights of the Punaauia commune, on Tahiti’s western coast, the Punaru’u Valley is a treasure of natural, cultural, and spiritual heritage. Each year, it becomes the stage for an ancestral ritual: the orange harvest. This deeply rooted tradition […]
Read More
Hawaiki Nui Va’a, the World’s Greatest Polynesian Canoe Race
The Hawaiki Nui Va’a is the largest Polynesian canoe race in the world. Held every year between October and November in French Polynesia, it gathers thousands of paddlers from across the islands and beyond. More than just a sporting competition, it is a cultural and festive celebration that highlights Polynesian heritage and the art of […]
Read More
Polynesian mythology: gods and ancestral beliefs
Geography, survival, and oral tradition in Polynesia Visit the remote islands of French Polynesia, from the Society Islands to the Marquesas and Easter Island. It means becoming one with this unique geography: remote lands surrounded by the sea. Access is hard-earned. Today, in just a few hours by plane or boat, it’s easy to hop […]
Read More
Whale Watching from Land: A Responsible Approach in French Polynesia
In French Polynesia, a new way of observing whales is emerging thanks to the Hono Tai project, led by the Oceania association. Inspired by the well-known Monoï Route, this initiative encourages people to discover whales from land, starting with a circuit around the island of Moorea, with plans to expand to other islands. Goals? Raise […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More
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 […]
Read More