CULTURE

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Cultural places to visit in Tahiti and Moorea

Date of publication: December 9, 2023 Catégories: Activities, Listing, Moorea, Tahiti, Top 2

Let's discover the cultural sites that make Tahiti and Mo'orea such unique destinations. Below you'll find a list of must-visit sites, along with Google maps showing the location of each. We set off counter-clockwise to get closer to the ocean. When you come across locals along the way, use the little Tahitian lexicon I've prepared […]

A vibrant, lively and strong culture

At home, everything is natural. Dense, generous and varied vegetation is part of the scenery, flowers slip behind the ears of the vahine… Waterfall woman, fish man, moon goddess, volcano god… in Polynesian legends, the boundary between man and nature does not exist. Every year, Matari’i i ni’a, the return of the season of plenty, is celebrated with a powerful and spiritual ceremony thanking the gods of nature! Fishermen and farmers rely on the moon and sailors on the stars, while Marquesan women dance the bird dance… In Polynesia, we talk to nature, we thank her, we walk barefoot to better feel mother earth and her mana.

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My island Tahiti is a destination renowned for its natural beauty, vibrant culture and rich musical heritage. The melodies emanating from here captivate visitors from all over the world, offering a unique and unforgettable sound experience.
Traditional instruments : At the heart of Tahitian music are traditional instruments that create a captivating symphony. The ukulele, with its warm timbre, the toe’reandpahu, percussion and wooden drums add a rhythmic dimension, imbued with the dynamic energy of Tahitian life. The masterly use of marine or pu conch shells adds a maritime touch to the music, recalling the constant proximity of the ocean.
Song and dance: the harmonious voices of local singers tell ancient stories and convey deep emotions. The ‘ori tahiti, accompanied by song and percussion, is a powerful, aesthetic and proud celebration of Polynesian culture. It tells of legends, love and war.
The sounds of nature: Tahiti’s lush nature also imbues its music with unique sounds. The songs of tropical birds, the murmur of waves caressing the sandy beaches or breaking continuously on the reef, and the gentle rustle of coconut leaves blend harmoniously with the musical compositions. These natural sound elements transport listeners into an authentic sound universe, immersing them in the very heart of the island’s natural beauty.

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What does Moorea mean?

Knowledge is better
The meaning of the name Mo’orea
Once known as Eimeo, the island of beauty is now called Moorea (Mo’orea), which means yellow lizard.
We translate lizard as “mo’o” and yellow as “re’a”.
Located 17 kilometers west-northwest of the island of Tahiti, its name derives from the legend of the jaune lizard, from the neighboring island of Moʻorea called Maiʻao.
Here’s his caption:
In the distant past on the island of Maiʻao, a couple, Temaiātea vahine and Temaiātea tāne, had an unusual child from an egg.
The mother had a vision of a yellow child. When the egg hatched, it revealed a baby yellow lizard named Moʻoreʻa by the father.
The couple feed it until it becomes enormous, provoking their fear.
Fearing the giant lizard, they fled the island by pirogue towards the rising sun. Feeling abandoned, Mo’ore’a threw herself into the sea to find her parents.
Exhausted, he drowned, his body drifting to the shore of Vai ana’e in ʻAimeho.
Fishermen discovered his body, and a high priest renamed the island of ʻAimeho to Moʻoreʻa in honor of the yellow lizard.