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Tahiti Real Estate

The Rich and Vibrant Multiethnic Culture of Tahiti

Tahiti is seen as many people as the ideal place for a holiday, but there's more to it that just that. it has an impressive culture and history, and there you can find some of the friendliest and generous people in the entire South Pacific.

The population is made up mainly of Polynesians, with Europeans covering about 12% of the populating, while the Chinese comprise 5 % of the populace. This wonderful island has parts of its history tat are yet uncertain, but it is known that Tahti was formed about 3 million years ago by a series of volcanic eruptions.

It is believed that Polynesians arrived from Tonga and Samoa, around the year 300 AD, and settled in the islands of Raiatea and the Marquesas. However, no document has yet been discovered to show when Tahiti became inhabited.

Some archeological findings determined historians to suppose that people inhabiting Raiatea migrated to Tahiti and its surrounding islands around 800 AD, so around 500 years after they first settled in this region. The history of Tahiti becomes clearer with the discovery of Tahiti by an English Captain, Samuel Wallis, in 1767.

The people of Tahiti are part of a rich and vast culture, and you can see that in their music, handicrafts and the traditional festivals that have become famous all around the world.

The Tahiti tradition is full of legendary gods and spirits, as a part of their heritage from their ancestors, the Maohi. If you visit a traditional marae, which has many features similar to an ancient temple, you will discover how ancient Tahitians understood to worship their gods and celebrate important times in their lives.

A major role in the lives of Tahiti inhabitants is played by music and dance, as this is a major part of their ancient culture that has been passed down form generation to generation to the natives presently inhabiting this wondrous place.

In the past, the music and dancing were performed for ritual purposes; some of its ritual meaning is still maintained today, but dancing has now become a form of expressing joy, happiness, peace, prayer, seduction and even war. The music of the Tahitians uses many percussion instruments like drums, shells and flutes, for giving an almost hypnotic feeling.

The handmade wooden and stone sculptures such as bowls, pestles, tikis and spears are carved marvelously and contain many intricate designs specific to this area. Other popular items include basket and hat weaving and those nice colorful blankets called tifaifai are popular with tourists and natives alike.

A vital part of the Tahitian culture and lifestyle is represented by their tattoos, as men and women alike wear them all over their bodies, since early ages. In Tahitian culture, tattoos represent community, social status, beauty and bravery, so they are worn by everyone there.