DESTINATION TRAINING The Islands of Tahiti
‘Ia Ia ora n na e Maeva!
CHAPTER 4 CULTURE & TRADITIONS
The People • People in The Islands of Tahiti are genuinely nice and welcoming • They have kept this “joie de vivre” that is shared in their daily lives through music, dancing, parties (known as “bringue”) • With the different migrations, 3 main origins can be found in the islands: the Tahitians of course, French and Chinese. A lot of Polynesians are now of mixed origins ( or what they call “half” or “afa” in the islands)
The Food • Cuisine in The Islands of Tahiti is very diverse thanks to the inhabitants’ different origins • Tahitian cuisine is strongly fish based along with tuber produce such as sweet potato, taro, manioc • With the French and Chinese influence, food has become more diverse and travelers will find exquisite cuisine, from the simplest culinary options to the most interesting gourmet experiences
Local Specialties • Coconut milk and vanilla are used in a wide range of Tahitian cuisine • One of the specialties is the “Poisson Cru,” a salad of marinated raw fish and vegetables with lime juice and fresh squeezed coconut milk • Coconut bread is delicious at breakfast and try Tahitian vanilla and freshly squeezed coconut milk in your coffee
Local Specialties • The Ahima’a is the big Tahitian feast, usually prepared for special events or family reunions or weddings. The food is cooked underground and includes pork, breadfruit, fish, “poe,” chicken, “taro,” manioc. All of that with coconut milk of course and “mitihue” (fermented coconut) • It takes a few hours to cook and requires a lot of preparation • In the Marquesas islands, they would call that a “Kai Kai”
Things to Buy • Colorful hand painted or • Local liquors or Rangiroa’s hand dyed pareos Coral Wine • Tahitian vanilla • Tifaifai, Tahitian patchwork serving as a bed spread or wall • Tahitian cultured pearls decor • Monoï, women’s beauty • Tapa painting, typical from secret, excellent moisturizer the Marquesas • Noni juice, the miracle • Necklaces, purses from shells, product, great for your health mother-of-pearls • Tamanu oil, great skin healer • Creative wood or stone carvings
Religion • In the ancient times, Polynesians did not have any religion and believed in different gods • The missionaries settled into the islands and imposed their religions • Nowadays, religion plays a major role in people’s daily lives ; protestant and catholicism are the main religions • Sunday in the islands is church day and most stores are closed on that day
Way of Life • Life in the islands moves at a nice and relaxed pace • Travelers do not choose The Islands of Tahiti for the nightlife but for the breathtaking beauty of the islands, the kindness and warmth of the locals, the amazing weather and to find that true island paradise • A trip to Tahiti is a beautiful way to reconnect with the simple things in life; you can then choose to do tons of activities or just relax
Things to Know • Tipping is not customary in the islands and is left at everyone’s discretion; there is no minimum amount and no rule really when it comes to that • Most stores close on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays • Bottled water is recommended as water is not drinkable everywhere
Fun Facts • The Islands of Tahiti receives as many visitors in a year than Hawaii gets in 7 days! • The Islands of Tahiti altogether have fewer rooms than the MGM Grand in Las Vegas • If you put all of the islands together, the land mass is about the size of the state of Rhode Island • The Islands of Tahiti gets less rain and more sunshine than the Hawaiian islands per a recent study conducted by the National Center for Atmospheric Research
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