For decades dance groups have met every year in Tahiti to show their talent.
Copyright Nicolas Perez
For us, the public, we experience some magic moments when we hear the sound of the toere and other percussions. The power of the warriors, and the grace of the female dancers, make us vibrate and travel to another era. The orchestras intensify their creativity and the singing groups their inspiration.
The festivities begin with the Heiva of schools. Then, all the groups of the communities battle on the scene for our great pleasure. Otea, Aparima continue as well as the Himene.
The competition’s program can be found on the Tahiti Tourism website (updated every year) Programme du Heiva 2015
Don’t miss this event!
Otea
The ʻōteʻa (usually written as otea) is a traditional dance characterized by a rapid hip-shaking motion to percussion accompaniment. The dancers, standing in several rows, may be further choreographed to execute different figures while maintaining the hip-shaking. The hip motion itself may in some choreographies be synchronized amongst multiple dancers and may be further coordinated with the accompanying percussion arrangement. The dance is with music only (drums) at a fast rhythm, and no singing.
Aparima
The ʻaparima is a dance where the mimicks (ʻapa) with the hands (rima) are central, and as such it is close to the hula or Tongan tauʻolunga. It is usually a dance for groups. There are two types of ʻaparima: the ʻaparima hīmene (sung handdance) and the ʻaparima vāvā (silent handdance), the latter being performed with music only, and no singing. The music is often played on the guitar or the Tahitian ʻukulele. The stories depicted by the dance are taken from daily traditional occupations or ancient myths. Unlike the other Tahitian dances, this one is more often performed with the dancers dressed in pāreu. It can also (especially the ʻaparima vāvā) be performed seated.
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