Tahiti Paper Allen

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Reflection Paper on Tahiti

Running head: REFLECTION PAPER ON TAHITI


LaShon Allen

Professor Rhonda Anderson

SS112 Interpersonal Cross Cultural Communication

November 16, 2010

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The Tahitians of the modern era maintain the traditions of their Maori ancestors.

Oral history is used to teach moral lessons to children and pass on the heritage (Tahitian

History, retrieved November 12, 2010). Flowers are an integral part of the culture.

Hibiscus flowers are worn behind the ear or braided into floral crowns. The Tiare flower

is used in leis for greeting visitors and returning family. Flowers are also especially

important when identifying a relationship status. If the flower is placed behind the left

ear, that indicates to all that they are taken by another (Tahitian History, retrieved

November 12, 2010).

Most people shake hands when they meet and native Tahitians will usually kiss

each other on the cheeks upon greeting (Tahitian Customs, retrieved November 12,

2010). Politeness is required when going into another persons home as is an interest in

the individuals home and family. However, dont lavish the praises too thickly on one

particular item. The owner may feel compelled to give it to the guest (Tahitian Customs,

retrieved November 12, 2010). Shoes must be removed prior to entering a home and the

family will dictate how the food is to be eaten. In many cases, fingers are the only eating

utensils required (Tahitian Customs, retrieved November 12, 2010).

Tahiti is the largest island in what is known as the Society Islands. Formerly

known as French Polynesia, it has an approximate 262,000 residents (Tahitian

Population, retrieved November 12, 2010). It is a multi-cultural island with influences

from Chinese and European immigrants and from the Maori people, the native tribe to the

Tahitian Island (Tahiti People, retrieved November 12, 2010). Though most of the

individuals speak French and Tahitian as their native language, English is spoken at most

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restaurants and hotels due to the tourism industry (Tahitian People, retrieved November

12, 2010).

Christianity is the primary religion in Tahiti today, but it was not always so.

Originally, the Tahitian religious structure was of ranked gods, with one supreme deity

(Tahitian Religion, retrieved November 12, 2010). Priests led the ceremonies asking

favor of the gods and acting as oracles for the people (Tahitian Religion, retrieved

November 12, 2010). When missionaries converted the people to Christianity, tribal

priests were trained as lay preachers (Tahitian Religion, retrieved November 12, 2010).

Much of Tahitian culture is kept alive bymamas

, matriarchs who guard the

cultural traditions of Polynesia. These generational traditions are portrayed in the displays

of drums, sculptures, wood carvings, and weaving (Tahitian Tradition, retrieved

November 12, 2010). This is prominently displayed in theHeiva festival, a compilation

of cultural ceremonies, has been the most important event in Tahiti for at least 122 years

(Tahitian Ceremonies, retrieved November 12, 2010). Held in July, individuals from all

the many islands gather to display crafts, compete in ancient sporting events, and recreate

traditional dance performances, as well as display personal tattoos, a cultural artifact

native to Tahiti.

Historically, marriages were based on cultural class distinctions. Children who

were born of unions between different classes were immediately killed (Tahitian Family,

retrieved November 12, 2010). By the eighteenth century, parental permission was

required prior to marriage, and those of the chiefly class were required to have a betrothal

period (Tahitian Family, retrieved November 12, 2010). Marriage ceremonies were held

in a marae, or traditional ceremony house. The nuclear family is the dominant unit

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(Tahitian Family, retrieved November 12, 2010). Lands were passed from father to first

born son. The son becomes head of the family at birth. In very rare instances, a first born

daughter would inherit the lands and title (Tahitian Family, retrieved November 12,

2010). For the most part however, genders were kept separate. For mealtimes, genders ate

separately and there were even restrictions in food preparation (Tahitian Family, retrieved

November 12, 2010). Tahitian cuisine has been influenced by British, French, and

Chinese cuisines as immigrants came and settled in Tahiti. Much of the food is cooked in

a traditional ahimaa or earthen oven (Tahitian Food, retrieved November 12, 2010).

Tahitian economy is primarily in the tourism trade but is also agricultural.

Horticulturists raise a variety of tree and tuberous crops, as well as plantains. Fish is

caught by a variety of techniques (Tahitian Economy, retrieved November 12, 2010). As

Successful pork trade established with New South Wales and sugar cane, arrowroot, and

coconut oil are exported (Tahitian Economy, retrieved November 12, 2010).

Children begin school at the age of 5 and often complete 12 years of education.

Tahiti has a literacy rate of 98 percent (Tahiti Education, retrieved November 12, 2010).

All schooling is done in the French language through a government financed education

system. Higher education can be done through the French University of the Pacific in

Papeete, Tahiti. It was founded in 1987 and helps attain higher education, developing

scientific and cultural relationships around the world (Tahitian Education, retrieved

November 12, 2010.).

The climate in French Polynesia is tropical with two distinct seasons. The

Southern Summer lasts from October to March and is characterized by cloudy skies and

heavy rains. The Southern Winter lasts from April to September with winds helping to

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temper the humidity (Tahitian Weather, retrieved November 12, 2010). Europeans

became fascinated with this island due in part to the weather. Explorers like Magellan

first made landfall in the 16th century. The government continued to run as would a tribal

establishment until 1880 when King Pomare ceded Tahiti and most of the surrounding

islands to France. In 1957, Tahiti became a French territory and in 1984 a statute of

autonomy was implemented. In 1998, Tahiti became a self-governing country with its

own Assembly and President. This allows it to negotiate with the world in matters of both

commerce and investment (Tahiti History, retrieved November 12, 2010). In terms of

sanitation and health, the tap water is safe to drink and bottle water is available to

travelers (Tahitian Health and Sanitation, retrieved November 12, 2010). Tahiti also has a

government run hospital and available health facilities.

Tahiti is a rich nation, culturally saturated by the past and the present. Its

traditions stem generationally. Its growth has been from territory to world nation. It is a

melting pot of nationalities and continues to provide its future generations with a deep

sense of national pride, due in part to its dedication to its cultural heritage.

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Bibliography

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http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Economy.html#ixzz124fX6mKu

Tahitian Education. (2000). The World Facebook 2000. The Central Intelligence Agency.

Available from http://www.cia.gov/

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Tahiti-Food-and-the-Tahitian-Culture&id=2197131

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a/Health

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tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asp

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http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Marriage-and-

Family.html#ixzz124gKGfFB

Tahitian People. (n.d.). Retreived November 12, 2010 from http://www.tahititravel.org/

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http://www.polynesia.com/tahiti/population.html

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http://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.yoursafepassage.com/members/index.php?page=3http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Economy.html#ixzz124fX6mKuhttp://www.cia.gov/http://ezinearticles.com/?Tahiti-Food-and-the-Tahitian-Culture&id=2197131http://ezinearticles.com/?Tahiti-Food-and-the-Tahitian-Culture&id=2197131http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Tahiti+and+French+Polynesia/Healthhttp://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Tahiti+and+French+Polynesia/Healthhttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Marriage-and-Family.html#ixzz124gKGfFBhttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Marriage-and-Family.html#ixzz124gKGfFBhttp://www.tahititravel.org/http://www.polynesia.com/tahiti/population.htmlhttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.yoursafepassage.com/members/index.php?page=3http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Economy.html#ixzz124fX6mKuhttp://www.cia.gov/http://ezinearticles.com/?Tahiti-Food-and-the-Tahitian-Culture&id=2197131http://ezinearticles.com/?Tahiti-Food-and-the-Tahitian-Culture&id=2197131http://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Tahiti+and+French+Polynesia/Healthhttp://www.wordtravels.com/Travelguide/Countries/Tahiti+and+French+Polynesia/Healthhttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.tahiti-tourisme.com/discover/tahitihistory-culture.asphttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Marriage-and-Family.html#ixzz124gKGfFBhttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Marriage-and-Family.html#ixzz124gKGfFBhttp://www.tahititravel.org/http://www.polynesia.com/tahiti/population.html


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Tahitian Religion. (n.d.). Retreived November 12, 2010 from

http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Religion-and-Expressive-

Culture.html#ixzz15ZHeHbeb

Tahitian Tradition. (n.d.). Retreived November 12, 2010 from

h ttp://www.tahititravel.org/index.htm#people

Tahitian Weather. (n.d.). Retreived fromhttp://www.tahiti.com/english-version/about-

tahiti/gen-resources/climate.html

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http://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html#ixzz15ZHeHbebhttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html#ixzz15ZHeHbebhttp://www.tahititravel.org/index.htm#peoplehttp://www.tahiti.com/english-version/about-tahiti/gen-resources/climate.htmlhttp://www.tahiti.com/english-version/about-tahiti/gen-resources/climate.htmlhttp://www.tahiti.com/english-version/about-tahiti/gen-resources/climate.htmlhttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html#ixzz15ZHeHbebhttp://www.everyculture.com/Oceania/Tahiti-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html#ixzz15ZHeHbebhttp://www.tahititravel.org/index.htm#peoplehttp://www.tahiti.com/english-version/about-tahiti/gen-resources/climate.htmlhttp://www.tahiti.com/english-version/about-tahiti/gen-resources/climate.html

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