Visions for the Future: The Impact of Taui on Tahitian Culture and Dance in French Polynesia

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Visions for the Future The Impact of Taui on
Tahitian Culture and Dance in French Polynesia

• Makana Nova 2004-2005
• Undergraduate Research Symposium, May 14, 2005

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Research Question

• How are changing policies and attitudes in French
  Polynesia altering the future of Tahitian culture
  and dance?
• Attitudes/ Examples
• Steps for future cultural/political development

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Methods

• Qualitative study consisting of 20, 1-hour
  interviews in Tahiti from December 6, 2004
  through December 20, 2004.
• Observations of Ori Tahiti
• dance practices
• local performances
• tourist performances
• competition in Tahiti Hura Tapairu
• Related organizational involvement to Taui asked
  participants to identify steps to reach cultural
  and political goals.
• Thematic analysis of written/taped interview
  notes.

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Interview Participants

1. Respected elder of the protestant church and
   advocate for Moruroa e Tatou
2. Cultural and language authors
3. Playwright
4. Former dancers
5. Directors from both traditional and modern style
   Tahitian dance troupes.

1. Director of le Maison de la Culture
2. Chief of Culture for the government
3. Former president of French Polynesia
4. Individuals associated with the womens movement
   under Oscar Temaru

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French Polynesia

• Region located halfway between the United States
  and Australia.
• French Polynesia is a French owned territory.
  (1842)
• The economy relies on French funding for damages
  as a result of nuclear testing.

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Taui

• Definition a name meaning change in Tahitian
  commonly given to refer to the political movement
  that led to the end of Gaston Flosse as president
  for 20 years. The term is typically used by the
  opposing party of Gaston Flosse, Tavini
  Huiraatira.

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Tahoe Huiraatira/Gaston Flosse

• Gaston Flosse served as president of French
  Polynesia for 20 years until May of 2004.
• Supports autonomy (remaining under French power).
  Flosse is very close to French President Chirac.
• Allegations of corruption have arisen regarding
  land issues, government spending, and bribery.

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Tavini Huiraatira-Oscar Temaru

• Pro-independence party
• Formed a coalition and gained power of the
  assembly.
• May be lacking in leadership experience.
  Accustomed to playing the role of complainant
  rather than leader.
• Gained considerable popularity in recent years
  following Gaston Flosse scandals.

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Events since May of 2004

1. May 2004 Oscar Temaru is elected as president
2. November 2004 Gaston Flosse regains power, 1 in
   4 citizens of Tahiti protest.
3. December 2004- I traveled to Tahiti to study the
   situation
4. February 2005- Oscar Temaru is re-elected to power

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Significance

• To understand
• The influence of policy and organization of a
  dominant culture in preserving another.
• The influence that a stronger nation like France
  has over its protectorate.
• The effects of colonialism/imperialism and
  recognize our responsibility to smaller nations
  that we protect and control.
• The tension between tradition and modernity.
• Culture is essential to the well being of a
  societyespecially in French Polynesia.

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What is traditional?

• Very little documentation exists of traditional
  Tahitian dance.
• Missionaries suppressed Tahitian dance. (1800)
• Tahiti experienced a cultural revival in the
  1950s.

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Tahitian Dance through Time
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Modern Influence

• The lack of traditional knowledge leaves Tahitian
  culture susceptible to outside influence.
• How do attitudes towards these influences affect
  cultural practices in Tahiti?

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Hypothesis

• There is an indirect association between
  politics and culture. This is caused by policy
  and funding which play a significant role in
  controlling the development of cultural
  organizations.

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Findings Cultural/Political Relations

• There is an indirect, unperceived connection
  between politics and culture, primarily
  consisting of control over organizational funding
  and policies.
• 2 of 3 participants could give a concrete example
  of government control over cultural
  organizations.
• 1 in 5 emphasized the importance of cultural
  vitality to the success of all of society.
• 2 of 3 felt Tahitian dance should be rooted in
  the past and tradition should be defined before
  becoming modern.

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Dance Dependencies
Many dance organizations depend on government or
government funded organizations.
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Impact

1. As a result of Taui, organizations are waiting on
   funding. Everything is on hold while political
   problems are sorted out.
2. Favoritism funding comes from political
   organizations to gain votes.
3. Corruption has led to an uprising of the people.
   They feel, a breath of fresh air, following
   Taui. Attitudes toward change are apprehensive
   but recognized as inevitable.
4. Different regimes emphasize either modern or
   traditional dance.

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Visions for the Future

• Culturally
• Define traditional Tahitian culture. Understand
  the past in order to move into the future.
• Land is our money in French Polynesia and I am a
  millionaire.
• Native language is the secret to the truth.
• Incorporate culture into the education system.

• Politically
• Return to traditional ways rather than modernize
  the economy.
• The title of independence.
• Pacific island support
• Stop the corruption.

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Other Topics Addressed in the Research

1. The impact of internal troupe politics on the
   success of cultural organizations.
2. The future of French Polynesia as a
   political/economic entity. The different
   priorities of two political regimes.
3. Political equality and representation of the
   people of French Polynesia.
4. Collisions of cultural expression- orero and
   dance vs. written text.
5. Opinions of change

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Ideas for Future Research

• Formal study of defining tradition in French
  Polynesia.
• Follow up study after Oscar Temaru has been in
  power for over a year.
• Quantitative study of the impact of funding on
  cultural organizations.

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Acknowledgements

• Professor Raul Lejano faculty mentor
• Professor Valerie Jenness director of Social
  Ecology Honors Program
• Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program at
  UCI for providing funding and research
  opportunities
• Marguerite Lai and Marie-Helene Villierme for
  providing hospitality and advice
• The O Tahiti E USA dance studio and Al Patten
  for providing advice and contacts

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For More Information

• Contact Makana Nova
• Department of Environmental Analysis and Design
• University of California, Irvine
• mnova_at_uci.edu