All About the Heiva!

5/30/2023

The Heiva season is just around the corner on Tahiti and Bora Bora! Raphaela, our friend at the Tahiti Travel Services, has written a beautiful explanation of the Heiva and a warm welcome to Tahiti and her islands. We hope you will enjoy!

Dancing in Polynesia is part of their daily lives from the moment they learn to walk! In all Polynesian schools, they learn this traditional art from an early age, to the sounds of the To'ere (a Polynesian percussion instrument).

Tamure (“tāmūrē” in its written form in Tahitian) is the name of the modern declension of Tahitian dance, referred to locally as Ori tahiti. A bit of history background: shortly after the Second World War, a veteran of the Pacific Battalion, Louis Martin, who liked to dance at Papeete's famous discotheque, Quinn's, wrote a very popular song based on traditional rhythms and using the word "Tamure" as a refrain. He thus earned the nickname of "Tamure Martin" and passed on the name of the Tahitian dance that the "Popa'a" would use to describe the "Ori Tahiti".

The Tahitian dance known as "Ori Tahiti" is one of the best-known dances in French Polynesia.
It's a traditional Tahitian dance, listed in France's inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2017. Dance accompanies all the important moments in their lives, whether it's a birth, a wedding, a birthday, or any other event.
Dancing is the Perfect Expression of their Happiness!

WHAT IS THE HEIVA?

Heiva i Tahiti is a Polynesian festival organized since 1881. The event takes place over several days and is marked by numerous festivities including dance performances, concerts, and traditional sports competitions.

When does the Heiva take place ?
Heiva i Tahiti 2023 will be held from June 24th to July 16th on the island of Tahiti.
Heiva i Bora Bora 2023 will be held from June 23rd to July 30th on the island of Bora Bora.

Where does the Heiva take place ?
The Heiva i Tahiti festivities take place mainly at the To'ata showground in Papeete. However, some events may be held at different locations, depending on the program.
The Heiva i Bora Bora take place mainly at Vaitape Village.

What to see during the Heiva ?
Ori Tahiti dance performances, the umu ti (fire-walking ritual) and sporting competitions such as the fruit-carrier races and the va'a regattas are among the festival's must-see events!

THE HEIVA I TAHITI DANCES PROGRAM

The Heiva Tu'aro Maohi sports program in Tahiti

The festivities take place on Tahiti and are the ideal opportunity for customers who want to immerse themselves in the culture!

Saturday June, 24th at the Pointe Vénus beach for the "Heiva Va'a Taie Tauturu and Motu" pirogue, from 09:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Friday, July 14th and Saturday, July 15th at the Musée de Tahiti for traditional games, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 16th in the Paofai gardens for the fruit-carrier race, from 12:00 to 17:00.

The Heiva I Bora Bora program:
The festivities will take place from June 23rd to July 30th on the Island of Bora Bora!

The Heiva i Tahiti difference: in Bora Bora, the bands perform on the sand! (which is all the more difficult than on hard surfaces). Guests wishing to attend can only reserve their places via their hotel concierge or with the guesthouse manager.