Categories: Polynesian Arts & Culture

For those keen on delving deeper into Polynesian culture, an introduction to a local expert is available, offering a more personal and intimate experience. This journey may include guided tours, meditation walks, or fireside storytelling where the expert shares experiences and stories that enrich the appreciation, understanding, and affection for Polynesia and further one’s inner discovery. Details can be obtained through the guest experience team.

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The Varu Te Ora spa is located on grounds historically frequented by Tahitian royalty for rejuvenating beauty rituals. Sarongs, known as pareu, are adorned by guests as they navigate elevated walkways amidst lush tropical foliage to experience modern treatments inspired by ancient traditions.

On Tetiaroa, a massage transcends basic body therapy, marking the commencement of a holistic journey towards achieving harmony with nature, Polynesian culture, and its people.

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The melodic nature of the Tahitian language invites learners to explore its rhythms and tones. Guests learn introductory phrases and other expressions useful throughout the atoll. This linguistic journey swiftly brings them to the point where they are greeting everyone with ‘Ia ora na’, weaving themselves into the fabric of local tradition.

The love of music in Polynesian culture finds expression through various instruments developed over generations. Guests have the opportunity to learn strumming chords on a Tahitian ukulele or tapping rhythms on a pahu, a traditional Polynesian drum. These experiences culminate in a Polynesian jam session, with the guests at center stage.

Centuries of practice have endowed Polynesians with the skill to transform palm fronds into an array of items, including roofs, baskets, hats, and works of art.

With time, these fronds transition to a light natural brown, yet maintain their inherent strength and durability. The resort offers an opportunity to explore how these ancient traditions persist in the present, guiding guests in crafting their own woven masterpieces.

On the shores, with the melody of soft live music filling the air, the art of manipulating a pareu, a traditional Polynesian sarong, into various forms unfolds. Participants are guided through the steps of twisting and twirling the fabric, before immersing it into a palette of vibrant hues to craft a tie-dyed marvel. Once dried, this creation, a testament to Polynesian spirit, becomes a versatile accessory, perfect for adorning at the beach, poolside, or anywhere one wishes to display a remnant of Polynesia.

Here, on the sacred shores of Tetiaroa, the rhythm is born of the atoll’s heartbeat, the dance as untamed as the ocean winds. The artistry is genuine, springing forth from the well of Polynesian souls. Within this enclave, the steps of ancestral dances are imparted, set to the vibrant cadence of live music and heartfelt singing by the island’s caretakers. In this realm, these precious moments secure their place in the tapestry of memory, a testament to The Brando’s dedication to authenticity and connection with the Polynesian spirit.