Tahitian dance movements are quite often confused for being similar to the Hawaiian Hula. To the untrained eye, they may look similar, however, if you ask any Tahitian (they speak mostly French, by the way) they will tell you their style and way of dancing is completely different. Tahitians do use their dance movement to reflect their way of life (like the Hawaiians), however, Tahitians do not sing while performing, and sometimes the movement will become much faster than any hula dance. The movements may be as simple or as complex as the day was. This ritual is a way of celebrating the beauty of life on the island, as it is done mostly at night after the work is done.
Instructions
1. Move your hands and arms in a wavy rhythm to the drum beat to demonstrate the condition of the ocean. Move your arms slowly to show the day was tranquil, and if the sun was shining, gesture up to the sky with bright and vivid hand movements. Make the thunder by clapping your hands and show lightning with the hand bursting as the fingers mimic the rain.
2. Keep your legs and knees soft and pliable. Shift your hips forward, side, back and then side and front again. Use this movement as your foundation for moving if you are a female. Males, use your legs spread apart to shift your hips. Move your knees back and forth demonstrating acts of bravery. Use the leg by raising it up and jump from foot to foot to symbolize a successful hunt (running after a tricky animal).
3. Keep knees and feet pliable as you add more complex movements. Women, dip to the ground with knees together to perhaps show gathering flowers for your hair. Men, drop one leg out to go to the ground quickly. Women go down in a spiraling motion and men "jump" down to show your agility.
4. Add props to make the story even more interesting. Use I'i (like grass fans) to create an elegant and perhaps more formal dance. Men, use the ore of your boat to tell about how your day unfolded at sea. Lift the ore above your head in a rhythmic pattern to show how pleased you are you caught all those fish with your best friend. Feel free to show celebration with jumps and hops.
5. Men and Women, you dance together as you show each other how you feel. Women, you use smooth movements to show a sensual attitude, slowly moving hips in a smooth circle and raising arms above the head. Bring the arms back down, slowly caressing your face or hair. Use this type of dance to flirt. Men, you should use dance moves to show off the bugling muscles in your arms and chest by flexing them as you move in a strut-like motion.
Tags: Move your, dance movements, your arms, your hands, your hips