Polynesian culture: discover the soul of The Islands of Tahiti

The Oral Tradition of Polynesian Culture

Polynesian culture unites Hawaiian, Samoan, Tongan, Maori, and many other peoples in one vast triangle in the heart of the Pacific Ocean: it stretches from New Zealand to Hawaii and Easter Island, each with their own languages, cultures and traditions, carrying this living heritage. At the very heart of this world lies The Islands of Tahiti, an authentic cultural wonder.

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 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...

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.