Tahitian Dance

History

Dance has always been essential to the Tahitian culture. Before European influence, dance was an entertainment often practiced without the social inhibitions of the European. Tahitians often danced nude or semi-nude, which greatly shocked European Explorers.

European ExplorersThe young girls whenever they can collect 8 or 10 together dance a very indecent dance which they call Timorodee singing most indecent songs and useing most indecent actions in the practice of which they are brought up from their earlyest Childhood.

-- Capt. James Cook, after seeing his first Tahitian dance show in 1769

Prohibition of Dancing

In 1819 dancing was strictly prohibited under British rule by the Pomare code. It stated, “Any song, game, or lascive entertainment is strictly prohibited.”

Tahitians continued dancing in secret; however, over the course of time parts of Tahitian dance began to be lost.

In 1842, France took control of the territory; however, limitations on dancing continued for approximately the next 100 years.

Tahitians began dancing openly again around the 1950’s.

Tahitian dancing has changed over time and has developed into existing Tahitian dances. These dances include:

• Ote’a• Aparima• Hivinau• Tamure• and other dances…

Modern Dances

Otea

Aparima

The ‘aparima’ is an expressive dance that tells a story gracefully through the use of slow hand movements and gestures. Translated literally, ‘apa’ means kiss, and ‘rima’ means hand.

TamureThe Tamure is a modern dance that developed out

of a variety of Tahitian dances. It practices very gender specific movements that are unique to Tahitian culture.

Men and women have very distinctive roles in the tamure.

Tamure - Women

In the Tamure, women’s movements include:

• Keep the knees slightly bent

• Keep the bust and shoulders motionless

• Move hips in a ‘rolling’ way

Tamure - Men

In the Tamure men’s movements include:

• Keep kness slightly bent• Knees open and close as

scissors• Torso must remain

straight• Kick forward

accompanied with move of fists

Fire Dance

Costumes

Instruments

To’ere