Out to dinner with my mom in Tahiti
Officially known as French Polynesia, Tahiti is an autonomous overseas country of the French Republic. Halfway between California and Australia; my mom and I were excited to touch down in the land of exotic blue lagoons, intoxicating tiare flowers (Tahitian gardenias) and black pearls with shimmering tones of pink and green. From the absinthe tinted clear waters with vibrant coral reefs to the stone temples embedded in the heart of luscious jungle heartland, we eagerly took it all in.
Influenced by the Paul Gauguin paintings that hung in the Parisian home of the woman who hosted me during my study abroad, Tahiti had been on my “must-see” list for a while and couldn’t wait to explore. Her grandfather, painter Emile Jourdan, was influenced by the synthetist style that his friend Gauguin used to vividly capture Polynesian life and the exotic flora/fauna found amongst 118 “romantic” islands.
Some of my best memories growing up are centered around family gatherings where my elders would share these amazing stories (my grandfather had quite the reputation for his animated storytelling). I attribute my fascination with how stories shape family and cultures to these childhood tales. Creating the framework for my own twist on storytelling, my mother and I attended a luau on the island of Moorea that gave us a glimpse into the rich and vibrant culture that Tahitians inherited from their ancient ancestors. Polynesian artistry is deeply rooted in the mythology of that heritage. Each sacred tradition tells a tale about love, life and how their relationship with nature is at the core.
Luau
As one of the most powerful forms of storytelling around the globe, dance is so much more than entertainment. It makes you think in a way that provokes something in you. Full of passion and vitality; Tahitian dance is the most authentic reflection of Polynesian culture which has traditionally connected all aspects of Polynesian life (including celebration, prayer and storytelling). The instruments are minimal, but the sound is reverberant as the movement becomes the language and the body is instantly transformed into the medium for a story to emerge. Adorned in Tiare flowers, Tahitian women opened the luau with a performance of their tamure, a frenzied style of dancing driven by the pounding of sharkskin covered drums as the hips sway back and forth while their torsos remain still. Worn by both men and women, the Tiare flower is the national symbol of French Polynesia. One variation of this flower, the Tiare Apetahi, is so rare and delicate that it cannot be grown anywhere else in the world.
During the luau we learned about the umu is built, which involves digging a 3-foot hole into the ground that is filled with heated rocks and covered with banana leaves. Traditional cuisine such as Uru (roasted breadfruit), Poi (mashed taro root) and Slow-Roasted Pork were put in the umu to cook for hours, with another layer of banana leaves stacked on top to seal in the heat. As a foodie, I can’t think of a better way to make people feel connected and at home.
I felt so connected to the way Tahitians celebrate their customs through artwork, song, and dance. Their philosophy, aita pea pea, meaning, "not to worry," is truly the Tahitian way of life.
“The world is too big to tell just one story.” - Unknown
