Polynesian culture: discover the soul of The Islands of Tahiti
Polynesian culture is rich, diverse and truly unique. It encompasses traditional arts, crafts, lifestyle, housing, ancient beliefs and modern influences, clothing, sports, and various traditions. Far from your everyday routine, our Polynesian culture offers everything you need to experience an unforgettable trip to French Polynesia.
One of the most beautiful definitions of culture is undoubtedly that of UNESCO, immortalized following discussions on cultural policies in 1982: “Culture, in its broadest sense, is considered to be the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual, and emotional features that characterize a society or social group. It encompasses not only arts and literature, but also lifestyles, fundamental human rights, value systems, traditions, and beliefs.”
An Oral Tradition & Culture
Unlike most cultures in the Old World (Eurasia and Mediterranean regions), Polynesian history and culture, rooted in the Pacific Ocean, have not been passed down through writing. Polynesian people therefore developed other forms of expression.
Oral tradition is essential in The Islands of Tahiti. It shaped a unique, rich, and structured language, over centuries of oceanic migration. You will hear it every day during your trip to French Polynesia. The Polynesian language allows people to recognize each other and identify their roots. It is spoken daily and recited in codified speeches ('ōrero).
It is also danced and sung. Today, Hīmene - ancient hymns influenced by Protestant missionaries in the 19th century - are the most widespread. But the ancient Polynesians composed songs of conquest, bucolic poems, ancient liturgies, and melodies that are still sometimes hummed. They will immerse you in the ancient history of the People of the Ocean.
The Polynesian culture: a unique expression
Polynesian culture finds expression through traditional art forms: engraving, sculpture, tattooing… all made from natural materials like wood, bone, mother-of-pearl, skin, or plant fibers such as tapa bark.
Art has also found forms of expression that UNESCO likes to call intangible cultural heritage: dance with the 'ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) or music with nose flutes and percussion instruments.
At the heart of Polynesian culture lies a spiritual energy called Mana: a force that can be felt on certain islands, at special moments, and in the experiences you will share with us.
The Islands of Tahiti and their Ocean culture
The lagoon, reef, and ocean are part of Polynesians' identity, even today, despite the contemporary sedentary lifestyle of the population. The nourishing ocean, complementing the generosity of the high islands, was the playground of the ancient Polynesians: their migration route, their source of food, their foundation for development.
So, when you arrive in Tahiti aboard one of our aircraft crossing half the world’s largest ocean, let yourself be carried away by French Polynesia’s ocean culture, its unique history and its variations from one archipelago to another:
- The remarkable craftsmanship of mother-of-pearl (parau) and pearls (poe) in the Tuamotu and Gambier Islands,
- The wood and bone carvings of the Marquesas Islands.
- The weaving of coconut fronds (ni'au) or pandanus leaves (raufara) in the Austral Islands,
- The creation and printing patterns on tapa (bark cloth), pareu, and tīfaifai (local fabric decorations adapted from British patchwork) in the Society Islands...
Polynesian dances and traditional sports
Experience our culture of movement and grace through dance. The most celebrated performances take place during the Heiva i Tahiti (in July) and the Hura Tapairu (in November). Many shows at hotels and cultural venues will also invite you to learn a few steps: don't miss your chance!
Culture is also the art of surpassing oneself, which the Mā'ohi love to do during tū'aro - traditional Polynesian sports that are every bit as exciting as Celtic games: including coconut husking competitions, tree-climbing challenges, javelin throwing, stone lifting, and vaʻa (outrigger canoe) races.
The Polynesian Cuisine and the Art of Hospitality
The tahitian gastronomy is another important part of the culture. Our centuries-old culture has found a way to make the most of nature's generous offerings through a unique cooking method called ahimā'a, or steaming. This method transforms raw ingredients into edible, sacred dishes, bringing them from darkness into light. Food, prepared and eaten together, became the glue that held society together. There is a whole symbolism behind a mā'a Tahiti (traditional Sunday meal) prepared ceremoniously in an underground oven. This tradition will be an important part of your stay, as you will have the opportunity to taste these dishes.
Finally, what truly defines Polynesian culture is its warm way of life, where you are celebrated. As you leave our islands covered in shells, surrounded by affection and tears, you will undoubtedly understand how deeply you matter to us. That is also why, in addition to being welcomed with flowers and joyful music, you will receive the most beautiful smiles in the world.