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Heiva is French Polynesia's most important festival
which takes place every year in July. It's a colourful display
of traditional costumes, skills and music of the pounding
drums, a hypnotic groove in a celebration of life and traditionally
preparation for war. Heiva or the Tahiti Fete is celebrated
all over the world, especially in Hawaii and California but
is at its most sensational in Tahiti.
Costumes
Costumes are intrical to the Heiva experience, taking their
lead from traditional tribes garments. Natural roots, seeds
and nuts and feathers are used as decoration as well as head
dress and a "toto" staff. Women's costumes take
their lead from birds feathers, bouquets, and flowers. Costumes
are also symbolic, like the "varua ino", an evil
spirit character with ghostly long face and fingernails or
"Tutea Tuturu" who represent the light of humanity
in a blaze of sunburnt feathers and pearls and yellow and
black make up.
Mr. Tahiti
The highlight of the Heiva is the Mr. and Miss Tahiti competition.
Unlike other beauty contests, it's not just about brawn and
good looks but also skill and intelligence; part of the contests
involves cracking open 10 coconuts in record time! The Mr.
Tahiti competition is strongly traditional with an emphasis
on the knowledge of ancient Polynesian skills like Palm tree
climbing. The toughest round is lifting stones, contestants
have been known to lift weights up to 300 pounds.
The French have suppressed the Polynesian way of life for
over a century. Heiva is helping to keep Polynesian traditions
alive and giving people back their pride in their culture.
It's a coveted prize guaranteed celebrity on the island, and
former winners have gone on to have successful careers at
Pop stars and TV presenters.
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