The Heiva is without doubt one of the oldest festivals on this planet, held in one of the vital stunning locations on earth. You could not have heard of it, however it is without doubt one of the biggest cultural occasions in Oceania. The Heiva is one of the simplest ways to expertise the wealthy tradition of the traditional Polynesians — it’s no extraordinary celebration however an explosion of colour and an emblem of cultural satisfaction. It’s a big day for a bunch of people that had been as soon as shunned for expressing their heritage.
We current to you a breakdown of what this celebration is about and a glance into the internal workings of the extraordinary Heiva Pageant.
In This Article
What Does Heiva Imply?
Also called the Polynesian Celebration of Life, the Heiva Pageant — pronounced “hay-vuh” — immerses the attractive islands of French Polynesia in a flurry of colour as locals honor their ancestral heritage. The which means of “Heiva” is a mix of the phrases “hei” and “va,” which means “to assemble” and “communal locations,” respectively.
All 5 French Polynesian archipelagos commemorate the Heiva with distinctive festivities that spotlight their native traditions. The first music and dance competitions are held in Place To’atā in Papeete, the capital metropolis of Tahiti, the place the Heiva Pageant celebrations are most distinguished.
What Is the Heiva Pageant About?
The Heiva is a vibrant pageant all about celebrating Polynesian tradition and heritage. It’s a remarkably distinctive occasion that should be skilled firsthand. Plus, it’s held in paradise! The Heiva Pageant emphasizes outdated Polynesian custom, tradition and legacy as varied types of French Polynesian dance, music, artwork and crafts are offered. Dance teams sport a wide range of colourful, conventional and themed outfits. There are loads of sights to see and actions to partake in on all of the islands.
Numerous competitions are additionally held through the Heiva Pageant, drawing 1000’s of athletes, singers, dancers, musicians and artists from all 5 archipelagos who compete in each particular person and workforce occasions for bragging rights. Competitions embody sports activities video games, canoe races, palm climbing, coconut opening and sweetness contests.
Pageant Music
Every efficiency group is accompanied by a big orchestra comprising native devices, together with the ukulele, the vivo — a bamboo nasal flute — and the pū, that are conch shells. The pageant additionally hosts a distinguished and intense singing competitors within the Tahitian language, Reo Ma’Ohi, which is sung a capella.
Pageant Costumes
The costumes of the Heiva are one of many primary highlights of the pageant. The Heiva costumes take spectators on a journey by way of French Polynesian historical past. Beautiful outfits are embellished to impress the judges and are handcrafted from pure island supplies. The standard tribal apparel is created from vegetation, seeds, roots, feathers and varied indigenous flowers. Ladies, for example, incessantly put on coconut bras, stunning flower necklaces and headpieces fabricated from grass.
When Is the Heiva Pageant?
Whereas there aren’t any official dates for the Heiva Pageant, celebrations normally begin within the first week of July and final the entire month. Dancers spend as much as six months coaching and handcrafting their costumes. The dancer’s choreography relies on historic and cultural themes. The first Heiva Pageant was held in 1881, making the pageant one of many oldest on this planet.
The place Is the Heiva Pageant Celebrated?
Festivities are held all through all 5 archipelagos of French Polynesia. Every island hosts its personal actions and performances, honoring the island’s distinctive tradition. The principal Heiva celebrations are usually held on the primary island, Tahiti, in Papeete, the capital metropolis of French Polynesia. Most actions happen on the sq. of Vaitape at Place Tu Vavau. The pageant’s main music and dance competitions are held in Place To’atā, an out of doors amphitheater in Papeete.
The Origins of the Heiva
The Heiva Pageant’s roots started when the primary Europeans arrived on the Tahitian islands. The persons are described in early oral and written descriptions as being exceedingly carefree, and that singing, dancing and music had been all the time a vital a part of day by day life in French Polynesia. After the primary explorers, the European Protestant missionaries who got here to the islands within the nineteenth century strongly disapproved of a number of Polynesian customs, together with dances and conventional apparel.
The colonial authorities banned many historic Tahitian artwork kinds, together with dancing, music, artwork, costume-making, tattooing and stone temples. Tahitian tradition has lengthy positioned a excessive worth on the humanities, music and dancing, all of which had been virtually completely eradicated by colonialism. Nonetheless, regardless of the numerous dangers, many households continued to observe and cross down these Tahitian customs by way of the centuries.
As Catholics, the French allowed Tahitians to rejoice their tradition by way of music, dance and sporting competitions when the Islands fell underneath French rule. The brand new regulation was formally enacted on July 14, 1881, which gave rise to the Tiurai celebration, an early iteration of the Heiva Pageant. As Tahitians achieved larger autonomy, satisfaction of their conventional tradition was restored and customs embraced. The Tirurai pageant was succeeded by the Heiva. The Heiva Pageant is actually a Tahitian revival of tradition that colonialism lengthy suppressed.
Suggestions for Experiencing the Heiva
Celebrations are held throughout all 5 archipelagos of French Polynesia through the Heiva Pageant. The principle occasions are held throughout Tahiti however the different islands even have thrilling actions that spotlight conventional Polynesian tradition. It’s a good suggestion to have a listing of the principal Heiva celebrations to make sure that you don’t miss out on any. Listed below are three primary Heiva occasions so as to add to your itinerary:
1. Fireplace Strolling Ceremony
The pageant begins with a fire-walking ceremony that serves as a prelude to the opening ceremony, very like the Olympic torch custom. Courageous contributors on this Heiva hearth ceremony cross extremely sizzling rocks from native seashores.
2. Heiva Artwork Ceremony
Through the Heiva, there’s an artwork pageant named “Heiva of the Artisans,” the place artists from all 5 archipelagos current their distinctive creations. Every island group attracts inspiration from its personal distinct historical past and aesthetic. The first Heiva occasion is held concurrently with “Heiva of the Artisans.” Native artisans create spectacular conventional paintings from pure supplies, together with shells, pearls, pandanus and coral. Additionally on show is the Polynesian tattooing artwork often called tatau.
3. Heiva Sports activities Competitions
Final however not least, the pageant contains sporting occasions held at a number of places in Papeete, together with Pointe Venus, the Paofai Gardens in Papeete, the Museum of Tahiti and the Islands lawns in Punaauia. Usually, Pira’e and the southern a part of the island are the places of the canoe races.
The Heiva Sports activities Competitors, usually often called the Polynesian Olympics, focuses on showcasing bodily prowess. The gold medal winner shall be dubbed “Mr. Tahiti” and luxuriate in widespread worship. The Heiva sporting occasions are held per Tahitian customs. Sports activities competitions embody horse racing, javelin throwing, outrigger canoeing, “coconutting” — climbing, selecting and cracking 10 coconuts in report time — stone hauling and spear throwing.
Expertise the Heiva Pageant With Windstar Cruises
What higher technique to discover the majestic islands of French Polynesia than on a chic yacht? We’ve spent greater than 35 years cruising the archipelagos and know the most effective sights to see. Our journey advisors can help you along with your itinerary and reply any questions on our cruises, excursions and different particulars. Name us at 1-844-884-4649 or fill out our type to request a name!
