Polynesian Dancing

A bit of a tourist trap ... but no trip to French Polynesia is complete without attending a traditional show of the local dances. On our last night in Tahiti, we enjoyed the show at Le Meridien which is renowned for having the most professional and authentic dance performance in all of the Tahitian Islands. It is the location for the annual Danse du Feu (Dance of Fire) which we also enjoyed. Lucky us ... they were at our doorstep ... literally a short walk from our room.

When you think of Polynesian dancing, you think of beautiful, elegant women wearing colourful, flowing grass skirts who display their enchanting smiles.

Costumes vary, as you can see above with the entire group, 4 men (tane), 4 women (vahine) & of course, the band. This production would not be possible without the accompanying music of delightful melodies, contagious rhythms and unique harmonies using a variety of percussions, traditional ukuleles & good old-fashion knee-lapping and clapping.

Each dance is very expressive & full of heritage. The above, a somewhat unusual dance, involving the head dancer taking off her top & then skillfully putting it back on (with her back to the audience) after a backwards shimmy to the ground. Above is another example of the costumes in Tahitian-style patterned dresses.
Dances are used to illustrate the lyrics by moving the hands or arms. Although, I could not really follow the words, I could not help being drawn by the power of the message combined with the visual and graceful movements.
Some songs were fast, pulsating, animated . . . difficult to capture in a photo.While others were slow and tender . . .There are also traditional dances performed without lyrics, to the accompaniment of percussive music such as the above with fire. I was especially impressed with the skills of the young boy (in the middle) who precariously juggles bars of fire the length of his tiny body - done with such perfection. Earlier in the week we watched the local competition and saw the cutest 2-year old displaying their fire-tossing skills - absolutely adorable.Above is Arnie with the ladies ... Followed by Bubbles with the men - I was a bit shy about going up but did anyway :-)