Ori Tahiti Set For UNESCO Recognition

Ori Tahiti Set For UNESCO Recognition

The Islands of Tahiti has furthered its application to see 'Ori Tahiti' traditional dance, (literally translated as 'Tahitian dance'), be made part of UNESCO's world heritage.

A French Polynesian government delegate has visited Paris for discussions with the French culture ministry, which is due to support the application for Ori Tahiti becoming recognised by UNESCO. This follows the French Polynesians' assembly who approved a resolution to endorse the campaign earlier this month.

The application will be assessed by President Emmanuel Macron who makes the final decision of which applicants France will submit to UNESCO.

Tahitian dance is a beautifully enchanting art that originates from ancient traditions on The Islands of Tahiti. Tahitians express themselves through Ori Tahiti, representing their ancestors through this spiritual art and cultural practice.

In the beginning, Ori Tahiti represented movement and life of the Polynesian people, and now through centuries of storytelling and ancestral interpretation, Ori Tahiti is an expression of the history and the evolution of the Tahitian culture.

If Ori Tahiti is recognised by UNESCO, it will follow the recent recognition of Taputaputatea marae in Raiatea as France's 44th UNESCO world heritage site, which was awarded in Papeete earlier this month. The Tahitian island of Fakarava is also designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.