As I'm working for a traditionnal polynesian village, all my co-workers and my friends are artists : singers or dancers. A month ago, they invited me to join them for the Heiva, and be on stage with them... I was a bit curious, so I made researches on it :
The Heiva is an anual and traditionnal competition on many cultural domains. You can see coconut openers, pirogue runs, javelot trowers...
My friend's association : Teata Nui, is a dance association. They were making a traditional polynesian dance show, in the amators category. The aim was to scenarize a Tahitian Legend, and they chose the one about Vahine Ura and Tapaviru.
Vahine Ura means "Red Lady", and she was a powerfull Queen in the mountains of Moorea Island. Tapaviru was a warrior, strong and feared by many tributes in Polynesia. One early morning, after a long night of celebration and party, Vahine Ura's people felt deeply asleep in the Kingdom.
Tapaviru decided to swim and row with his soldiers until Vahine Ura's kingdom to attack it and win the Queen. While everyone was sleeping, the warriors entered the Castle without any fight, and misused the Queen and her maids.
The legend says that Tapaviru and Vahine Ura finally felt in love together, and they had 9 babies of two years old each, and two of them where twins.
As I'm always ready for new adventures, I accepted the challenge ! Fortunately, I didn't have to learn the tamure dance ^^
My role was to serve the Queen (Vahine Ura) on stage, and simply walk with her, or stay sitted on "her mountain".
We had a great performance, and many many good memories.
Comment on this post