I have never visited any of the Polynesian island nations except Hawaii. But my love and passion for the culture is manifested through the art of dance. I've been dancing, competing and performing with Manuia Polynesian Revue for 18 years and have earned to sing, chant, make all the costumes you see in my blog entry and formed lifelong friendships. I personally know all the dancers in these photos.
I will make a trip to the South Pacific chain soon. There's a saying that when you first come to visit, you are treated like an honored guest. When you return again, you are treated like family.
"Are you dancing Hawaiian Hula?" is the question most people ask me. "You're close, but it's actually Tahitian Aparima" is my most common reply. You're not alone. Most people who don't do Polynesian dance can't differentiate between the two. Even those who dance often can't tell unless you recognize the linguistics in the song. Other subtle signs to the uninitiated is how the dancer is using her hands. Or the type of materials that are used in her costume. This is also true of Samoan and Tongan dance. Shared similarities of this art form makes up the beauty of Polynesian dance. The stark differences makes for the excitement. Whether you are watching Hawaiian, Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan or Maori, they all tell a story.
Tahaki playing the nose flute. Tahitian Costume - Red and yellow mo're (made from bark of mulberry tree), mother of pear shells, fresh ti leaves
Tahitian Costume - Lauhala (made from Hawaiian Hala tree), feathers, shells,
Fresh Ti leaves
Samoan Costume - motif printed cotton, feathers, faux bone necklace
Tahitian Costume - Mo're skirt (made from bark of Mulberry tree), shells, neck piece is of tapa cloth (made from barkcloth) and shells
Girls performing the Haka - a warrior dance traditionally performed by men. costume made of jute, burlap and shells
Performing an Aparima - a Tahitian style of dance to percussion and string instruments and sung
Haka costume made from jute, burlap and shells
Glenn blows the Conch shell to open the performance. Conch blowing signals the call to a gathering or celebration. Tahitian costume made from Lauhala (hala tree), feathers, shells, and fresh ti leaves
Hawaiian Implement dance using hollowed out gourd, split bamboo sticks, and uli uli's made from gourd, seeds and feathers (hand held in photo). Each implements makes a distinct sound
This is the only "posed" photo, taken after a competition. Tahitian costume made of mo're (mulberry bark), shells, lauhala (hala tree), feathers faux bone on head piece, and jute wrapped wooden stick with coconut
Maori costume - skirt made from yarn, wooden beads, and faux bone beads, neckpiece is a faux carved Greenstone tiki representing fertility
Tahitian costume made of mo're (mulberry bark), shells and feathers
Tahitian costume made of cloth, shells and ni'au (dried reeds)
Tahitian costume made of ti-leaves and mo're (mulberry bark)
Rachel performs a Tahitian Aparima dance - costume made of motif printed cotton, jute, shells, and lauhala (hala tree)
Pe'a and Helen perfoms a Tongan dance. Feather head piece
Long dresses are typically worn while performing Tahitian Ahuroas - slow dance ballads usually not performed by children. Head piece made from ni'au (dried reeds) and fresh gardenia flowers decorates the decollatage.