Introduction to Ori Tahiti
Tahitian Dance, also known as ORI TAHITI, is a dance style that originated in the Polynesian island of Tahiti. It is often confused with hula/Hawaiian dancing but, while there is some cultural overlap between the two islands that make the dances quite similar, there are some key differences.
Ori Tahiti has a rich and deep cultural and historical heritage in Tahiti, and for a while was even banned, but in recent years it has become a popular dance worldwide. Competitions are springing up all over the world, with some amazing performances and it is becoming more popular to see Ori Tahiti classes.
Historical Significance of Tahitian Dance
Tahitian dance is an art form that dates back to many centuries ago. Accompanied by music and song, it was once performed at ceremonies dedicated to the ancient gods, or during celebrations of important events such as weddings, births and abundant harvests. A graceful and sensual means of expression for the Polynesian vahine, ‘ori Tahiti has evolved over the years.
Today, ‘ori Tahiti is an extremely popular and thriving art, and there is hardly a single vahine in The Islands of Tahiti who hasn’t belonged to a dance group at some time in her life. The flamboyant and colorful costumes are an important part of this visible expression of a proud ancestral culture.
Cultural Revival and Resilience
Tahitian dance is the visual expression of a unique ancestral culture. Each movement, each gesture has its own special significance, referring to the traditions, legends and history of French Polynesia. The sensuality of ‘ori Tahiti was too much for the early Protestant and Catholic missionaries, so they simply banned it. Fortunately, Tahitian mothers continued to transmit the gestures and movements to their daughters, so that, in the 1950s, when Madeleine Moua decided to revive the forbidden art, the gestures and movements had not been definitively lost.