Visions for the Future: The Impact of Taui on Tahitian Culture and Dance in French Polynesia

Makana Nova 2004-2005Undergraduate Research Symposium, May 14, 2005

Research Question1. How are changing

policies and attitudes in French Polynesia altering the future of Tahitian culture and dance?

Attitudes/ Examples

Steps for future cultural/political development

Methods Qualitative study consisting of 20, 1-hour

interviews in Tahiti from December 6, 2004 through December 20, 2004.

Observations of Ori Tahiti: dance practices local performances tourist performances competition in Tahiti: Hura Tapairu

Related organizational involvement to Taui asked participants to identify steps to reach cultural and political goals.

Thematic analysis of written/taped interview notes.

Interview Participants

1. Respected elder of the protestant church and advocate for Moruroa e Tatou

2. Cultural and language authors

3. Playwright4. Former dancers5. Directors from both

traditional and modern style Tahitian dance troupes.

4. Director of le Maison de la Culture

5. Chief of Culture for the government

6. Former president of French Polynesia

7. Individuals associated with the women’s movement under Oscar Temaru

French Polynesia

•Region located halfway between the United States and Australia.•French Polynesia is a French owned territory. (1842)•The economy relies on French funding for damages as a result of nuclear testing.

Taui

Definition: a name meaning “change” in Tahitian commonly given to refer to the political movement that led to the end of Gaston Flosse as president for 20 years. The term is typically used by the opposing party of Gaston Flosse, Tavini Huira’atira.

Tahoe Huiraatira/Gaston Flosse

Gaston Flosse served as president of French Polynesia for 20 years until May of 2004.

Supports autonomy (remaining under French power). Flosse is very close to French President Chirac.

Allegations of corruption have arisen regarding land issues, government spending, and bribery.

Tavini Huira’atira-Oscar Temaru

Pro-independence party Formed a coalition and

gained power of the assembly.

May be lacking in leadership experience. Accustomed to playing the role of complainant rather than leader.

Gained considerable popularity in recent years following Gaston Flosse scandals.

Events since May of 2004

1. May 2004: Oscar Temaru is elected as president

2. November 2004: Gaston Flosse regains power, 1 in 4 citizens of Tahiti protest.

3. December 2004- I traveled to Tahiti to study the situation

4. February 2005- Oscar Temaru is re-elected to power

Significance To understand: The influence of policy and organization of

a dominant culture in preserving another. The influence that a stronger nation like

France has over its protectorate. The effects of colonialism/imperialism and

recognize our responsibility to smaller nations that we protect and control.

The tension between tradition and modernity.

Culture is essential to the well being of a society…especially in French Polynesia.

What is traditional?

Very little documentation exists of traditional Tahitian dance.

Missionaries suppressed Tahitian dance. (1800)

Tahiti experienced a cultural revival in the 1950s.

Tahitian Dance through Time

Modern Influence

The lack of traditional knowledge leaves Tahitian culture susceptible to outside influence.

How do attitudes towards these influences affect cultural practices in Tahiti?

HypothesisThere is an indirect association between politics and culture. This is caused by policy and funding which play a significant role in controlling the development of cultural organizations.

Findings: Cultural/Political RelationsThere is an indirect, unperceived connection

between politics and culture, primarily consisting of control over organizational funding and policies.

2 of 3 participants could give a concrete example of government control over cultural organizations.

1 in 5 emphasized the importance of cultural vitality to the success of all of society.

2 of 3 felt Tahitian dance should be rooted in the past and tradition should be defined before becoming modern.

Dance Dependencies

Ori Tahiti

Historical Sources

Knowledge of Technique

Funding/ Costumes

Practice Space PublicityShow

Opportunities

Creativity/ Message/ Feeling

Many dance organizations depend on government or government funded organizations.

Impact

1. As a result of Taui, organizations are waiting on funding. Everything is on hold while political problems are sorted out.

2. Favoritism: funding comes from political organizations to gain votes.

3. Corruption has led to an uprising of the people. They feel, “a breath of fresh air”, following Taui. Attitudes toward change are apprehensive but recognized as inevitable.

4. Different regimes emphasize either modern or traditional dance.

Visions for the Future

Culturally: Define traditional

Tahitian culture. Understand the past in order to move into the future.

“Land is our money in French Polynesia and I am a millionaire.”

“Native language is the secret to the truth.”

Incorporate culture into the education system.

Politically: Return to

traditional ways rather than modernize the economy.

The title of independence.

Pacific island support

Stop the corruption.

Other Topics Addressed in the Research

1. The impact of internal troupe politics on the success of cultural organizations.

2. The future of French Polynesia as a political/economic entity. The different priorities of two political regimes.

3. Political equality and representation of the people of French Polynesia.

4. Collisions of cultural expression- orero and dance vs. written text.

5. Opinions of change

Ideas for Future Research Formal study of

defining tradition in French Polynesia.

Follow up study after Oscar Temaru has been in power for over a year.

Quantitative study of the impact of funding on cultural organizations.

Acknowledgements

Professor Raul Lejano: faculty mentor Professor Valerie Jenness: director of Social

Ecology Honors Program Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Program at UCI: for providing funding and research opportunities

Marguerite Lai and Marie-Helene Villierme: for providing hospitality and advice

The O Tahiti E USA dance studio and Al Patten: for providing advice and contacts

For More Information…

Contact Makana NovaDepartment of Environmental

Analysis and Design

University of California, Irvinemnova@uci.edu