Heiva festival Bora Bora

We were thrilled to be in Bora Bora for the festivities. Back in 1882, the Polynesians began commemorating Bastille Day (14 July, 1789). This has evolved into a festival that lasts for weeks. It cannot be mistaken for something like St. Thomas Carnival or New Orleans Mardi Gras. Its essence is rooted in the celebration of tradition and community. Each day competitions are held - pirogue racing, petanque, javelin throwing, volleyball, tennis, basketball, bicycle racing, and the traditional barefoot race carrying many pounds of fruit on a pole over the shoulder. Also there are demonstrations of copra preparation, basket weaving, jewelry making, and simple games for the children. The evenings are filled with presentations of singing and dancing (groups including their musicians can number up to 80 people - quite spectacular), bands playing music with traditional instruments, fire dancing, and parades of flowered floats.

We especially loved the music and dancing. They perform the 'aparima', which resembles the Hawaiian 'hula' with slowly swaying hips and swaying hands telling the story being sung. Even better is the 'tamure' which is a fast and provocative dance done by rapidly shifting the weight from one foot to the other. Forget belly-dancing - this is the ultimate! And in the traditional dances, the men, wearing simple loin cloths and leafy fringes ringing their arms, legs and heads, shiver their legs in what looks like a triple-time Charleston, accompanied by soul-pounding drums. Pat and Kris were able to see a lot of this with us before they left.