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]]>Hawaiki Nui Va’a : Meeting with the Aito
At any time of the year, you may notice Va’as (traditional canoes) racing, training or fishing, on the lagoon. However, there is one particular event that will trigger electrifying excitement in all islands and further abroad.
Just imagine: Hundreds of teams of six paddlers rowing as strong as their arms will let them, thousands of boats following the race on 120km distance, during 3 entire days! This is what you can expect from the Hawaiki Nui Va’a race, which will take place from November 1st to 3rd, 2017.
Unique Race, Unbeatable paddlers
In French Polynesia, paddling is a pride, and most of the time, it’s a pure vocation, especially when your family have rowers in its past generation. The top athletes are often referred to “Aito”, the iron wood. In fact, most paddlers need to show mental steel and iron arms, for a chance to win. On season, trainings start before dawn, and you can still see tiny canoe shadows when the sun sets each evening. For all participants have one thing in mind: give their best and shine during the Hawaiki Nui Va’a race.
Leaving Huahine on November 3rd, the race will slowly and painfully lead paddlers to the island of Raiatea. This segment will ask for 4 to 6 hours of commitment. Next day, they will perform around the island of Taha’a, and finally the last part will bring all canoes to the Matira Point, the most beautiful beach of the island of Bora Bora. Thousands of supporters, family members, amateurs and visitors will gather to cheer for the braves. The beach and lagoon literally look like an international stadium filled with bubbling effervescence. This unique event, is one of the most important gathering to Polynesian people, they prepare all year for this one race, which they hold in their heart. So, what are you doing next 1st, 2nd and 3rd of November 2017?
Hawaiki Nui Va’a official website : http://www.hawaikinuivaa.pf/
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Originally from the Marquesas, the Tiki statues are present on most of the Polynesian islands. These sculptures in wood or stone represent Ti’i, ancestor half human half god who according to legend was the first man. This is often represented as a stocky man with arms stretched forward, his hands on his stomach and legs folded. It usually has a huge head, symbolizing his power. Her big eyes represent knowledge. Very expressive, this tiki has a big mouth sometimes giving it a happy or rough air. The Polynesian tiki can be a whole man, or only a head depending on the skill and perserverance of the sculptor.
Often placed outside houses, tikis are present to protect the inhabitants. Still very attached to their traditions, Polynesians respect as in the past these protective statues. In popular belief, it is said that every Tiki has its own personality and some are evil while others benevolent. The shapes and sizes of tikis vary considerably. The largest ever discovered in Polynesia measuring 2.35 meters and is proudly placed on the island of Hiva Oa in the Marquesas, overlooking the marae in the Bay of Oipona Puamau. In contrast, smaller tikis are in the form of pendants a few inches made of bone, shell or coral. Each Tiki has its own meaning: some represent wisdom; others symbolize loyalty, dance, or force.
One of the known variants of the Tiki is the Moai, a monumental stone statue installed on Easter Island. These moais differ of the Polynesian tiki by their large size and more slender appearance. The size of a moai varies between 2.5 and 9 meters, with an average weight of 14 tonnes. As for the tiki, the Moai are monolithic, carved from a single block of stone. Generally oriented to the interior of the island to protect the villages, the seven moai of Ahu Akivi are the only ones facing the ocean. These represent, in the words, seven explorers arrived on the island many years ago.
Considered the “patron of sculptors” Tiki also has a strong influence in the art of Polynesian tattoo. Indeed, it has always greatly inspired local tattoo artists in the creation of their motives. In the Marquesas Islands, since men are always tattooed in the manner of “you patu tiki”, borrowing directly designs and forms of tiki. Arts, sculpting, and tattooing are still closely linked: both are supposed to represent “what is deepest in man.”
Nevertheless, the Tiki is a very powerful and enigmatic icon of Polynesian culture, symbolizing true spiritual strength. Therefore, visitors who pass through our islands take with them as a souvenir a little tiki figurine to protect them later in their journey.
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