Modern Tahitians maintain the legacy and ancient traditions of their Maohi ancestors. Fascinating legends tell about many interesting facts of history and culture. For example, throwing darts was the sport of the gods, kings were fond of horseback riding, and Aito strongmen competed in canoe races.
Marae
According to Rctoysadvice.com, Marae are open sanctuaries that were the center of power in ancient Polynesia. They are large stone structures and are a kind of temples for the local population.
Hieva Festival
Among the ancient traditions, the Hieva Festival has been considered the most important event in Tahiti for the last 122 years. Residents of many islands gather in Papeete – the capital of the island of Tahiti – to participate in competitions, including ancient sports and traditional national dances.
Tattoo
For the first time, tattoos were made in Tahiti. In Polynesian culture, tattoos have long been considered a sign of beauty. Even whole ceremonies were performed to reproduce them on the human body.
Dancing and Music
In ancient times, dancing was associated with all aspects of the life of the inhabitants of the islands. They danced for any reason: for joy or to show hospitality to a guest, while invoking the gods or to challenge the enemy, etc. The dances were accompanied by traditional musical instruments, including deafening drums, clam shells and nasal flutes. The modern music of Tahiti is also very pleasant – Polynesian rhythms are combined with Western melodies.
Canoes
Canoes play a very important role in the daily life of the inhabitants of the Tahiti islands, they are used for colorful races.
Flowers
Almost all the islands of Tahiti are buried in tropical plants. Hibiscus flowers are worn behind the ear or woven into wreaths. I greet guests with the Tiare flower. Traditionally, married men and women wear the flower behind their left ear.
Arts and crafts
Crafts are very widely developed on the Polynesian islands, and exhibitions of works by local masters are held annually. The art of weaving has reached its pinnacle in hats of various designs, handbags, baskets and mats, in the manufacture of which the plant fibers of the pandanus, coconut palms or the aeho plant are skillfully used.
Observation and love for nature are especially evident in the lush tifaifai, hand-sewn bedspreads with floral and ethnic motifs. Such covers are an integral part of the decoration of the Polynesian headlights, and on the islands of the Society archipelago there are often exhibitions of coverlets of the most fantastic shapes and colors.
The skill of Polynesian artisans is also embodied in wood products, including wooden sculpture. Artists find inspiration in graphic and symbolic motifs, which are embodied in products from precious woods – tou, a local variety of rosewood and rosewood, as well as from volcanic stone, coral and even bone, from which various decorative trinkets are made. Ocean shell mother-of-pearl finds its use in another area – it is difficult to imagine Polynesian dance costumes and jewelry without it.
Honeymoon
More than half of the tourists who come to Tahiti and its islands are newlyweds or those who want to celebrate a wedding anniversary or just an engagement. The wedding ceremony itself is not official from a legal point of view, although all the participants, flowers, pareos, tapas are certainly real. A Polynesian wedding is an opportunity to participate in an exotic performance where you are the main characters.
The wedding ceremony takes place on the beach, usually at sunset. The beach is decorated in the Polynesian manner with palm leaves, flowers and is lit by huge torches.
Shortly before sunset, the bride and groom are taken to separate bungalows to dress in the Polynesian pareo.
The dancers bring the Vahine bride to the beach to the sound of the guitar and ukulele.
The toastmaster, surrounded by dancers, meets the groom Tane, who sails on a pirogue, accompanied by men in traditional costumes. They lead the groom to the bride, singing the traditional song: Haere mai na tau here.
According to tradition, the head of the ceremony delivers a speech in Tahitian and hands the newlyweds a necklace of tiara flowers, which they exchange while reciting their wedding vows. After that, the newlyweds are given a marriage certificate written in real Tapa.
Next, the witnesses cover the newlyweds with the traditional Tifaifai (wedding veil). Dancers and singers sing to celebrate the happiness of the new family.
The newlyweds are escorted to a decorated bungalow or room or to a festive table on the beach or taken to a motu (desert island), where champagne, fruits, flowers are already waiting for them.
If you prefer to celebrate your wedding in private, you can order a romantic dinner by candlelight and a table decorated with flowers in the restaurant or on the motu or terrace.
We can also arrange for you a private picnic on a desert island, where you will be brought from your hotel on a pirogue. Friday will serve you (one of the Tahitian boys).