Moorea Local Customs

The Polynesians invented tattooing - the process of 'hammering' ink under the skin to leave pictures or artistic designs.

It is very common for Polynesians to have tattoos, and they do not have any stigma associated with them like they do in some places in the West.

If you want a Polynesian tattoo, it is very easy to get one done with several places such as the Tiki Village offering the service. At the Tiki Village you can see them using the age old process of how they used to tattoo with a hammer. The name tattoo comes from the sound the hammer made as it tapped the dyes into the skin - "ta-tu ta-tu ta-tu".

Poolynesians love flowers, and both genders like wearing them. If you are visiting Polynesia, it is well worth being aware of the meaning of a flower tucked behind somebodies ear.

If you wear a flower behind your left ear, it means you are taken. If on the other hand you wear a flower behind your right ear, it means you are available to the opposite sex (or perhaps to the same sex, or perhaps to both sexes...).

However you can have the best of both worlds, by wearing a flower behind both ears. This means that you are taken, but that you are also available.

So depending on what sort of holiday you want to have, you may wish to stock up on flowers when you get there! They tend to wilt pretty quickly in the heat...

The government owns most of the Pao Pao valley where they farm out a piece of land to people for pineapple plantations. The government has a program to give one hectare for free to young people where they can try for six months to set up a farming business. If they succeed they can rent the land, if not they have to give it back to the Government.
Our guide told us that today's young people are quite lazy and don't succeed. Most farmers you will find in the valley are middle aged.

Enlarge the pic to see this handsome guy with all his tattoos.

Tattooing is a traditonal Tahitian form of art, that is still very popular. In former days, the tattoo was the identification of one's rank in society.

There are some tattoo shops on the island. Don't worry for your health, all of the tattooists are regularly controlled by the sanitary office.

This small tree is a sacred plant. Tahitians believe it possesses mystical and magical qualities that will protect the house from fire. Wherever you will see this plants around a house, you will know that there is a Tahitian family living in the house.

Even today, dancers, high priests and firewalkers still wear the green leaves of this tree for protection.

The ti is also used in traditional healing for diarrhea, vomiting, abscesses or ear infections.

This red fruit, easily found on the island, is used for lipstick. When you open it there are small red seeds in it. Rub the seeds over your fingers and colour your lips with those fingers. They only come in one colour :-)

The average temperature is 26.5°C (79.9°F) and rarely goes above 32°C (89.6°F). The prevailing winds are the easterly trade winds. In Winter (June to September) the Maraamu is a cool wind which blows from the southeast. The rainy season extends variably from December to April (alternating sunny and rainy spells).

The island has nearly 12 000 inhabitants, essentially Polynesian or "demi" (mixed blood). The inhabitants are scattered all around the island and in the valleys. 48% of the population is younger than 20.

The official language is French, but most people speak "Reo Maohi" among themselves.