Photo courtesy: Polynésie la 1ère/JD. Retrieved from la1ere.francetvinfo.fr
Reunion Island recently hosted a one-of-a-kind event: Ori Tahiti workshops led by a master of the art, Matatini Mou. Crowned Best Dancer at the Heiva i Tahiti 2019, Matatini brought the beauty of Polynesian dance and traditions to life, celebrating a key element of cultural identity from the Pacific on this Indian Ocean island.
For the participants, it was a golden opportunity to immerse themselves in the Polynesian spirit and its values of sharing during three unforgettable days. Guided by Matatini, who teaches Ori Tahiti at Kehaulani dance schools in Polynesia and Nonosina in the United States, the experience was pure joy and intense learning.
“Easier Here”
These workshops allowed some Creole participants to grasp the essence of this ancestral art’s techniques and expressions. Matatini shared, “My teaching is the result of my journey, my struggles, and my sacrifices. Being able to share it on an island as vibrant as Reunion moves me deeply. Ori Tahiti is easier here because in Reunionese culture, their traditional dance also involves hip movements, which makes it easier to connect with Polynesian dance.”