Tiare Tahiti Day
French Polynesia,
This annual event pays tribute to Tahiti's national flower,
the fragrant white Gardenia Tahitensis . Individual
Tiare Tahiti flowers are presented to everyone on the streets
of downtown Papeete, in hotels and at the airport. Post offices,
banks and other offices compete for the best Tiare Tahiti
decorations. A dinner and dance ball is held on Saturday night
in a hotel that has been beautifully decorated with thousands
of Tiare Tahiti flowers.
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Christmas In Tahiti
French Polynesia,
It is summertime in Tahiti and Her Islands, and all the flowers
are in bloom. The Royal Poinciana, or flamboyant trees, acacias
of all colors, the South Sea crepe myrtles, bright Bougainvillea
and frangipani are more beautiful than ever. Santa Claus makes
his appearance several times, arriving in many different ways.
Hotels and restaurants present special menus and local entertainment
during the holidays.
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All Saints Day
French Polynesia,
Flower stands are set up all around the island of Tahiti on
this public holiday, with families spending the day cleaning
and decorating grave sites in cemeteries in Papeete, Faaa,
Arue and Punaauia. At night, the cemeteries are lighted with
candles as families sing hymns and recite prayers for their
departed loved ones.
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Firewalking Ceremony
French Polynesia,
This is one of the most spectacular of the ancient Polynesian
traditions that have been preserved in Tahiti. A large crowd
of spectators is traditionally drawn to this ceremony to watch
as today's Tahitians call upon their ancestor's gods for protection
as they walk across hot lava stones that have been heated
by fire for several hours before the start of this colorful,
yet mysterious, ceremony.
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World Enviroment Day
French Polynesia,
An entire day of exhibits, films, shows, singing and dancing
is held at the historic Venus Point in the north coast Commune
of Mahina. But this special day involves a major environmental
awareness program throughout Tahiti and Her Islands. Guided
tours are organized into such beautiful interiors as the Fautaua,
Papenoo and Lake Vahiria Valleys and to the top of one of
the island's most famous mountains l'Aorai
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Ukulele Festival
French Polynesia,
The Ukulele Festival is held in Tahiti. This instrument was
introduced from Portugal into the Hawaiian islands in 1879.
Its advantage is that it's easier to make and to play than
a guitar. Ukulele music entertainment takes place in several
places in downtown along with other traditional instruments.
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Chinese New Year
French Polynesia,
Tahiti's Chinese Community welcomes the New Chinese Year with
traditional dances, martial arts demonstrations, Chinese food
tasting stands, calligraphy and painting demonstrations and
a fireworks display. A Spring Festival Queen from the Chinese
community will be elected during a beauty pageant dinner-dance.
Much of the 4 day celebration is held at the Chinese Temple
in the Mamao section of Papeete, where red candles, incense
and symbolic money are burned, speeches are made and prayers
are recited for prosperity and good health during the coming
year. Banquets and shows are held at a local hotel and restaurant,
where entertainment includes special singers and dancers brought
to Tahiti from Asia.
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New Years Day
French Polynesia, 1 January 2000
This public holiday is celebrated throughout Tahiti and Her
Islands. A long-standing custom is to drive around the island,
visiting friends and relatives, bringing guitars and ukuleles
for the famous Tahitian Bringue , which includes singing,
dancing and feasting.
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