Polynesian Culture

Polynesian Culture

A. Polynesian dance has long been celebrated as an art form on many islands across the globe

B. From Hawaii to Tahiti, the choreography has been weaved beautifully into a variety of
cultures

C. Topic sentence/thesis statement

The Dance and the Dancers

A. The Polynesian dance origin in Pacific Island as Hawaii, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Samoa,
Tonga and other dances

1. Depending which one is the region, this dance have some modifications that represent
the culture and the habits of the Polynesian people

2. All have a common origin that is related to the seas

3. Among the most outstanding dances, we have the Samoan, Tahitian, Hawaiian, and
Maori

Types of Polynesian Dances

A. Oteas

1. A traditional dance from Tahiti which is characterized by a rapid hip-shaking motion to

percussion accompaniment

2. One of the few dances which already existed in pre-European times as a male dance

3. Dancers of the otea make gestures reenacting daily occupations of life on the island

B. Tamures

1. A another traditional dance from Tahiti and also in the Cook Islands, it is popular and
the mark of Tahiti

2. Usually danced in a group of boys and girls, all dressed in more (the Tahitian grass skirt)

3. The boys shake their knees from there the use of the word paoti (scissors) and the girls
shake their hips (and their long, loose hairs)

4. Tamure is a foreign word, the name of a fish in the Tuamotu

 Description of the Dance

A. The dances present the culture and the voices of the Polynesian People, as well as their
songs resign proverbs of ancient warriors, legends of deep meaning and prayers to God

B. Hawaiians will put you in the dance, they make you to chant, to train like them and basically
you need to become like them

C. In ancient times, warriors were recruited from the Halace. The chief would come to look
and from the ranks of the advanced male dancers, warriors were selected

D. The rhythm, grace, agility, and above all the sensuality of dancers, both men and women
show enormously at all times, demonstrating an elegant, sensual and discipline style

E. Womens dance used legs with movements ascend and descend, accompanied by the
extraordinary fast movements of the hips

The Polynesian Cultural Center

A. The Polynesian Cultural Center is a Polynesian-themed theme park and living museum
locared in Laie, on the northern shore of Oahu, Hawaii.

B. Owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was dedicated on October
12, 1963.

C. Within eight simulated tropical villages, performers demonstrate various arts and crafts
from throughout Polynesia.

D. The PCC occupies 42 acres owned by nearby Brigham Young University-Hawaii

E. Visitors can get a free shuttle tour of the university and see the Laie Hawaii Temple

F. 70% of the centers approximately 1,300 employees are students at BYU-Hawaii.

G. Students can work up to 20 hours per week during school terms and 40 hours during
breaks

Polynesian Customs and Traditions

A. With an exceptional sense of hospitality, the Tahitians welcome visitors with the Famous
Tiara flower necklace.

B. You can discover during your journey in Polynesia that the Tahitians have excellent moods.

C. Polynesians will enchant you with their music which is strongly linked into their culture

D. Sport is very important to the Polynesians, which they are fond of pirogue races and surfing.

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 E. We cannot forget the dance, heritage of an ancestral culture of Tahitians

F. Tamure being the most famous dance along with the otea, the aparima, and the hivinau.

Oppression or Privilege, historically in the U.S.

A. In the United States, there are diversity everywhere because this reason they do not feel the
oppression in the United States. Polynesian culture receives better opportunities than
others do because here they can express themselves in any way. Polynesian culture is very
close with family and friends and they unite with others as if they are family. They are
strong, keep their culture alive, and practice their traditions in the United States. They do
not feel the negativity of wearing their cultures clothing, the music is the same to them and
the food is like a buffet for all.

Oppression or Privilege experienced presently in the U.S.

A. The intercultural encounter particularly when it implies many different kinds of people, its
after all moment performative in which the theatricality, art and improvisation fulfill a
significant role. (Balme 2007, Dening 1980, Herbert 1980, Wallace 2003).

Polynesian vs U.S Culture

A. In Tonga, most common religions are Christianity, Mormon, Catholic, and as well in America

B. In America, the Tongan celebrations (Luau) invite family and close friends to the
celebrations. They express themselves through dance, they bring tons of food to feast on,
play music, and they perform several dances.

C. However Luaus in Tonga are much different, in Tonga they climb the coconut trees to get
the juice of the coconut they need for the celebration, and the celebrations are always held
outside. They bring food, paint their faces, and dress up to perform their dances. The dances
are more dramatic and they nafas (a wooden drum made entirely by hand).

Conclusion

A. The dancers present voices and dances of the Polynesian people. Dancing is represented by
telling stories, and more emotion is put into the dance.

B. There are different gender roles, sensual, elegant, and discipline

C. Their dances have many different hand motions meaning different things like the ocean and
waves, the tree, the wind, and also the people (male and female).

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