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World Edition
2014
French Polynesia
History
Most of French Polynesia was inhabited initially by
Polynesians, although their exact origin is not certain. They
began to settle on Pacific islands between 2000 and 1000 BC
and probably reached the Marquesas Islands in the third
century AD. According to legend, these early peoples then set
out to settle New Zealand and the Hawaiian Islands. The
islands of Polynesia were ruled by local chiefs until European
colonization.
The 16th through the 18th centuries were marked by
contact with explorers sailing under various European flags.
Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan passed through the
Tuamotu Archipelago in 1521. Alvaro de Mendaña of Spain
named the Marquesas Islands after reaching them in 1595.
Samuel Wallis charted and claimed Tahiti for Britain in 1767.
The following year, it was claimed by the French, but it was
some time before Europeans actually began to settle on
Tahiti. In 1769, Captain James Cook led an expedition to
Tahiti, naming the Society Islands for his sponsor, the Royal
Society of Britain. When the crew of the British naval ship
the Bounty mutinied against their commander, Captain
William Bligh, they escaped to the Society Islands in 1788.
Missionaries from the London Missionary Society (LMS)
arrived just before the end of the 18th century; other Christian
missions soon followed. The native people embraced
Christianity after the conversion of Tahitian chief Pomare II.
The Pomare dynasty reigned on Tahiti until Queen Pomare IV
agreed in 1842 to make Tahiti a French protectorate in
exchange for France's help in bringing neighboring islands
under her control. Her son (Pomare V) abdicated in 1880, and
the islands became a colony of France. After World War II,
BACKGROUND
Land and Climate
Area (sq. mi.): 1,609
Area (sq. km.): 4,167
French Polynesia, a self-governing dependency of France, lies
in the Pacific Ocean about halfway between California and
Australia. Its 118 islands and atolls stretch across an area as
large as western Europe, but the combined land area is only a
third the size of Jamaica, or slightly smaller than the U.S.
state of Rhode Island. French Polynesia includes five
archipelagos: the Tuamotu Archipelago and the Society,
Marquesas, Austral, and Gambier islands. The Society Islands
include the Îles sous le Vent (Leeward Islands) and Îles du
Vent (Windward Islands). Tahiti is part of the latter group and
is the main inhabited island. The Society, Marquesas, Austral,
and Gambier groups are known for their high islands, which
have volcanic peaks, fertile valleys, lush tropical forests,
waterfalls, streams, and white-sand beaches. The Tuamotu
Archipelago consists of many low islands: small
sand-and-coral bars surrounding a lagoon, dotted with shrubs
and coconut palms.
Trade winds temper the subtropical climate throughout the
year. The hottest months are December through February,
when temperatures range between 85 and 90°F (29–32°C)
and cyclones and damaging tropical storms are possible.
Otherwise, temperatures average between 70 and 80°F
(21–27°C).
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France declared the islands an overseas territory, and
islanders voted to remain a territory in 1958.
A pro-autonomy movement gained strength in 1966, when
France began a series of nuclear tests at Moruroa Atoll.
Statutes in 1977 and 1984 granted French Polynesia greater
internal autonomy. The islands gained a reputation as a
tranquil tourist destination, but the capital of Papeete was
rocked with riots in 1995 when France resumed nuclear tests.
The president of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse,
represented France in signing the 1996 Treaty of Rarotonga,
which effectively made the South Pacific a nuclear-free zone.
Sharply contrasting views on the islands' future
relationship with France characterize French Polynesian
politics today. Opposing parties include the Union for
Democracy
(UDLP)
coalition,
which
advocates
independence, and the Tahoeraa Huiraatira (Popular Rally)
and O Porinetia To Tatou Ai'a (Polynesia, Our Land) parties,
which want to retain strong ties with France. The local
governing body, the Territorial Assembly, has been highly
volatile in recent years, as shifting allegiances among its
members have resulted in a different president chosen every
few months. Since early 2004, there have been no less than
thirteen changes of power. In May 2012, President Temaru
announced that his government would introduce an income
tax. May 2013 elections saw Tahoeraa Huiraatira win a
strong victory and Gaston Flosse, who faces corruption
charges, assume the office of the presidency once again.
French, or the Hakka variety of Chinese. English is not
widely spoken, although it is understood in tourist areas.
Tahitian is spoken throughout French Polynesia, but each
outer island group also has its own language: North and South
Marquesan, Austral, Paumotu (spoken on the Tuamotu
Islands), and Mangarevan (Gambier Islands). Some of these
languages are closely related to Tahitian. Many have
island-specific, though mutually intelligible, dialects.
Religion
Fifty-four percent of the people are Protestant, most
belonging to the (LMS's) Evangelical Church. About 30
percent are Roman Catholic. Other religions, such as the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the
Seventh-Day Adventist Church, make up another 10 percent.
A variety of other Christian religions, as well as Judaism and
Buddhism, are represented on Tahiti. Six percent of people
are without religious affiliation. Wearing white dresses and
hats to Sunday services is a tradition with some churches and
is more common among older people. The practice has faded
somewhat. People no longer worship the many gods of
nature, but some traditional dances, medicines, festivities, and
concepts, such as tupuna (respect for ancestors and their
culture), survive.
General Attitudes
French Polynesians value personal relations and are warm,
generous, and receptive, although they may seem shy to
strangers before they become better acquainted. They enjoy
life and try to live as simply and happily as possible. Time is
relatively flexible in French Polynesia, as people are
considered more important than schedules. Still, Western
influences have quickened the pace of life, especially in
Papeete. Physical strength (for men) and beauty (for women)
are admired characteristics. Education, property, and a sense
of humor are valued. Undesirable traits include lack of
respect, particularly from children, and dishonesty.
Most people have a multiethnic heritage, which has
contributed to a general atmosphere of racial tolerance and
harmony. However, some tensions do exist between
Polynesians and French-European inhabitants. Some
Polynesians resent how francophone culture has replaced
aspects of traditional culture by dominating school
instruction, the media, and the economy. Yet other
Polynesians are as proud of their ties to France as they are of
their own heritage. Some outer-islanders are more wary of
Tahitian domination than they are of French rule. In recent
years, islanders throughout the country have demonstrated
increasing pride in their Polynesian heritage through more
widespread use of the Tahitian language, the greater
popularity of traditional tattooing, and a renewed interest in
traditional sports, such as canoeing. All residents pride
themselves on the legendary beauty of their islands, a favorite
subject of such artists as Paul Gaugin and such authors as
Herman Melville and Robert Louis Stevenson.
THE PEOPLE
Population
Population: 277,293
Population Growth Rate: 1%
Urban Population: 51%
Papeete is French Polynesia's largest city, with about 48
percent of French Polynesia's residents living in and around
it. Polynesians account for 78 percent of the population, but
most have a mixed heritage that includes either European or
Chinese ancestry. About 12 percent of the people are Chinese,
forming primarily a merchant class. They are descendants of
laborers imported in the 19th century. Locally born French
citizens (6 percent) and native French or other Europeans (4
percent) also live in French Polynesia. Inhabitants of outer
islands have migrated to Tahiti to seek opportunities, but the
growth of tourist, black pearl, and other industries on outer
islands has slowed migration somewhat.
Language
French and Tahitian are the official languages. French is
spoken widely on Tahiti; it is the language of daily
communication for the majority of people. One's proficiency
in French affects one's economic status. Tahitian was
prohibited in schools for more than 20 years; it was
introduced in schools as a second language in the 1980s.
Older people prefer Tahitian to French. Tahitian is spoken
mostly at home. Its alphabet has 13 letters. All syllables end
with a vowel. The Chinese community speaks Tahitian,
Personal Appearance
Lightweight, informal clothing is worn year-round. Clothing
is always neat and clean. Although people are at home in
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Visiting
French Polynesians traditionally emphasize the concept of
joie de vivre (joy of life). They are relaxed and natural and try
to make their guests feel comfortable. Islanders try to practice
the favorite maxim “If you act like old friends when you first
meet, you will soon feel that you are.”
Unannounced visits are common and often take place on
the patio, where it is cooler. It is customary to remove one's
shoes before entering a home. Generally, hosts offer their
guests light refreshments (juice or fruit) or invite them to join
the family for a meal. Refusing an offer of food is considered
rude if the host has invited the guest for a tamaaraa (a
traditional feast common at holidays and other special
occasions). If one is visiting briefly, one need not feel
obligated to eat. It is common for the host to offer food and
repeat the offer a few times. If one has already eaten, one
should thank the host for the offer, explain that one has eaten,
and suggest that a drink would do. This etiquette assures the
host that he or she is not failing in hospitality. Offering food
is a common courtesy and may be done even if no food is
ready. In some cases, accepting may mean the host must
purchase food and prepare a meal. Guests may compliment
their hosts on their home or family, but they typically avoid
singling out any one object in the home. Otherwise, the host
may feel obligated to give the object to them.
Western attire, many continue to wear the traditional pareu,
an article of clothing made from a simple length of cloth. Men
and women might wear a T-shirt with a pareu wrapped
around the waist. Women also wear the pareu as a dress, tied
around the neck or chest. The pareu is worn generally at
home or the beach. Footwear for men and women is usually a
pair of flip-flops or sandals without socks. In the workplace,
men commonly wear a short-sleeved shirt with pants or
shorts. Women might wear a muumuu-type dress or shorts.
They often wear flowers behind the ear or in the hair.
Traditional dance costumes include skirts made from strips
of wild hibiscus bark. Tops are made of cotton fabric or
polished coconut shells. Local plants, grasses, and shells are
used for headdresses, belts, and necklaces. “Missionary
dresses,” or purotu (meaning “good in appearance”), cover
more of the body and are worn by women performing slow
dances.
CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES
Greetings
Friends and relatives often greet with a kiss on each cheek,
accompanied by a hug or pat on the back, especially after a
long separation. French Polynesians also shake hands. If one's
hand is dirty, one offers a wrist, elbow, or even a shoulder
instead. It is impolite not to shake hands with every person in
a small gathering (fewer than 30 people); however, it is
impolite to attempt to shake everyone's hand when a meeting
has already started. One should sit down and acknowledge
people with a nod of the head while making quick eye contact
and then shake hands after the meeting.
Ia orana is a polite greeting. Friends, acquaintances, and
passersby might greet with Ei or Ei Iaora (Hi). This is said
when the person being greeted can be seen and heard but is
not close enough for a handshake. A waving of the hand may
accompany it. French greetings such as Bonjour (Good day)
and Salut (Hi) are also common. In the Marquesas, people
greet with Kaoha (Hi).
Titles such as Monsieur (Mr.), Madame (Mrs.), or
Mademoiselle (Miss) are used in professional settings, along
with a surname. Friends often call each other by nickname.
People may respectfully address the elderly as Mama or
Papa.
Eating
French Polynesians eat the main meal at midday. Seafood,
vegetables, rice, and French bread comprise a typical menu. A
light breakfast consists of bread and a hot drink. Supper in the
evening is also light. Families generally eat the morning and
evening meal together, with the father seated at the head of
the table and the mother seated at his side. When guests are
present, children may eat at a separate table, outside, or at a
different time. Etiquette varies depending on the food and the
family. Traditional Tahitian foods are eaten with the fingers,
while Chinese food is eaten with chopsticks. Western utensils
are used in the continental fashion, with the fork in the left
hand and the knife remaining in the right.
Politeness does not require a person to eat everything on
the plate. Leaving a little extra will ensure that a second (or
third) helping is not served and will satisfy the host that the
guest has been well fed. Sometimes guests are offered a meal,
and the host family will not join in eating. Guests are
expected to accept the invitation and not mind if the family
watches, though most hosts will join the guests, nibble some
food, or cook more while making conversation. In restaurants
(as well as with taxi drivers and service personnel), tipping is
not customary because it violates a strong tradition of
hospitality.
Gestures
French Polynesians often use hand gestures and facial
expressions to emphasize or add meaning to conversation.
Raising the eyebrows expresses acknowledgment or
agreement. People indicate one should listen by pointing and
shaking the index finger, forming a c with one hand by the
ear, or touching the ear with the index finger. They beckon by
waving all fingers with the palm down. Pointing with the
index finger may be considered rude. Instead, people indicate
direction by motioning with the head and eyes. Passing
between conversing individuals is rude. Public displays of
affection are generally frowned upon, although this is
changing with the younger generation.
LIFESTYLE
Family
Family relationships are of central importance to French
Polynesians. When two people meet, they commonly discuss
their family lines. If this conversation reveals that the two are
distant cousins, the fact quickly strengthens the relationship.
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Traditionally, families were large, usually with many
children and several generations living under the same roof.
Lower-income couples may still have many children, but two
or three is the norm among middle- and upper-class couples.
It is still common for young couples to live with the husband's
or wife's parents for a time, but increased contact with
Western culture is leading to more nuclear families. Family
ties still remain strong; respect for elders is especially
important. At family gatherings and events, older people are
invited to say a few words to those present.
The father typically is the breadwinner, while the mother
has responsibility for the children and the home. However,
today many women work outside the home, and they may
provide the family's income if their husbands cannot find
work. Some employ babysitters during working hours, while
others rely on older children or relatives for childcare. It is
common for one employed person to support several extended
family members who are unemployed or unable to work.
Parents generally do not openly show affection to their
children. They work hard to give them opportunities, and
children are expected to work hard at home and school.
Daughters help with housework, while sons clean the yard
and help the father in the family garden (faapu), though all
children are competent in nearly every household task. In
Polynesian cultures, children are considered precious, and
their upbringing is often shared by grandparents or other sets
of adoptive parents (faamu). Adoptive relationships are
considered equivalent to blood ties. This type of informal
adoption is still practiced today, making family relations
somewhat complex.
Traditionally, women have played a significant role in
French Polynesian culture, and this remains the case today.
Their role in the home has always been honored, but their
influence extends beyond that domain. Female chiefs were
reported to exist by the first European explorers, and today
women have a strong presence in politics. Though women are
less represented in the business world, this is changing as
more of them receive higher educations. Male alcoholism
fuels high rates of domestic violence against women.
houses have washing machines but not dryers; laundry is
instead hung on a line to dry.
Those who qualify may live in government-funded
low-income housing communities, though gaining approval to
do so requires the completion of much paperwork and
endurance through a long waiting period. The government
also offers affordable kit homes composed of wood walls and
tin roofs. As many Polynesians own family land on which to
build a home, these kit homes are popular and commonly
seen outside of Papeete. They are also used to replace homes
that have been ravaged by cyclones. The poorest people in
French Polynesia live in shacks made from particle board and
do their washing and bathing with a hose or in a barrel of
water in a small enclosure separate from the main living area.
High-rise apartment complexes are found in the center of
Papeete and in the hills surrounding the city. Most of these
apartments are modern and offer air-conditioning and views
of the ocean. Rent tends to be high (upwards of US$1,500 a
month), though low demand for such housing is causing
prices to drop. French people (teachers, members of the
military, and others) in Polynesia for a limited time usually
rent stand-alone houses.
French Polynesia's wealthy business people and public
sector workers live in large houses of varying styles in the
hills of Papeete. The grandest homes are located on the
beachfront of Puunauia, near Papeete. Some incorporate
traditional Polynesian architecture, complete with palatial
gardens full of trees and flowers. These homes may also have
high, arched thatched roofs resembling the traditional
thatched-roof houses that, while mimicked in bungalows built
for tourists, are no longer common on the islands.
Dating and Marriage
Western-style dating generally is not practiced, except among
French youth and perhaps in Papeete. Instead, young people
gather in groups to dance, sing, talk, or participate in sports.
Girls are more closely supervised than boys. Life-long
relationships are most often formed when couples are in their
early 20s.
Marriages traditionally were influenced by the families,
but youth now have greater freedom in choosing spouses.
However, the French Polynesian focus on extended families
means that strong taboos prohibit marriage to even a very
distant cousin. Religiously devout or Westernized couples
usually marry before having children. Other couples marry
after having children or even grandchildren together; in these
cases, weddings are a way of celebrating the love and
commitment of an established relationship. Many committed
couples choose not to marry at all, though after several years
together they will often refer to each other as husband and
wife and are accepted by society as such.
A wedding begins with a civil ceremony, in which couples
gather with their two chosen witnesses and other family
members or friends in the mayor's office to sign legal
documents. This is often followed by a religious ceremony at
a church, attended by close friends and family. The reception
is usually a major event with many guests. It may include a
tamaaraa (a traditional feast common at holidays and other
special occasions) prepared by the bride's family (sometimes
Housing
Most French Polynesians live in a one-storey home, usually a
structure of white cement or brightly painted wood or brick.
Roofs consist of corrugated metal, and floors are made of
cement and covered with tiles. The home is usually modest in
size but includes a living room, kitchen, bathroom, and an
average of two bedrooms. The family may entertain guests on
a shaded patio. Many families have a yard with flowers,
plants, and tropical fruit trees such as mango, papaya, and
banana.
Furniture is simple and made of varnished wood; it might
include a couch with bright floral cushions, a coffee table, and
a stand for the television. People may have beds or simply
place mattresses on the floor at night. Often, bedrooms and
mattresses do not correspond to specific family members, so
people may sleep in varying places each night. Artificial
flowers and strands of shells are often used to decorate home
interiors. Gas ovens are common, but only higher-end homes
are equipped with conveniences like a dishwasher. Most
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with the help of the groom's), a ball with dancing to music
played by a live band or disc jockey, and a display of
traditional dances, with a aparima (a slow dance) performed
by the bride or her relatives for the guests. The couple wears
hei tiare (white flower leis). At the beginning of the
reception, guests approach the couple individually and kiss
the bride and groom on each cheek. In the Austral Islands, the
mothers envelop the dancing newlyweds in a quilt sewn for
the occasion.
French law dictates that once married, couples share all
possessions and property equally. Middle-class and French
couples often marry under a special contract that allows each
partner to retain rights to their own possessions throughout
the marriage and in the case of divorce. Because the official
marriage rate is low among the larger population, divorce is
rare, but it is not looked down upon. Neighbors and family
members may offer food or help with household chores to
single, divorced, or widowed women living alone.
emphasized in French Polynesian culture. When asked the
age of one of their children, parents will often respond with
the year of birth or the age the child will turn later in the year.
Funerals follow the practices of the deceased's religious
denomination. Most common is a Protestant or Catholic
funeral, often with an open casket so all in attendance can
pass by and kiss the corpse. Tearful outpourings of emotion
are typical. It is appropriate to wear either black or white at a
funeral. Some funeral events last for days, as family members
may need to travel from many parts of the country to attend.
Burial is the standard practice, in part because cremation is
very expensive. Traditionally, families buried their loved ones
in their gardens, and doing so is still common in outer islands.
Graves located in gardens are given cement markers and may
even be covered with a small roof. Today, most families bury
their dead at cemeteries that are now located throughout
French Polynesia. Each year on 1 November, families clean
and decorate the graves of their deceased with flowers.
The belief in ghosts (thapapau) is strong, and stories about
jealous or angry dead relatives coming back to play tricks on
or harm their families circulate. In extreme cases, families
call in a tahua (traditional medicine doctor) to chase away a
spirit. Many people grow miri (a variety of wild basil) in their
yards or keep a light on in the front of their house all night to
keep bad spirits away.
Life Cycle
Pregnant women are advised to avoid strenuous activities and
refrain from eating raw fish. Most women give birth in clinics
or hospitals. Those on remote islands may take advantage of
government aid to travel to the nearest medical facility on
another island. A woman will make this trip when she is
about seven months along and typically stays with family. If
his job allows it, her husband will accompany her at this time;
otherwise, he will join his wife closer to her due date. A
small number of women choose to give birth at home with the
assistance of a midwife or the local tahua (traditional
medicine doctor). For many years, beginning in the 1970s,
breastfeeding was unpopular due to the promotion of infant
formula by the health and commercial sectors. Today, due to
improving health education, most mothers choose to
breastfeed. Doing so in public is socially acceptable.
Finding the right name for a child is considered important,
so parents often ask a respected family member, such as a
grandparent, to name the newborn. A name is usually
Tahitian and can be an old family name, a name derived from
the circumstances surrounding the birth, or one that reflects
the personality of the child. Most parents have their children
baptized shortly after birth. A small party follows.
Circumcision at age 12 is an important step for boys on the
way to manhood. Being tattooed was once a ceremonial rite
of passage for adolescent boys and girls. (The English word
tattoo originated from the Tahitian word tatau.) A tattoo also
indicated a person's clan, status, and island of origin.
Tattooing was discouraged by early Christian missionaries,
but the art form has enjoyed a renaissance in recent decades.
Many French Polynesians now get a tattoo for aesthetic
reasons, but it no longer serves to mark a young person's
coming of age. Instead, Western customs such as school
graduations or Catholic communions (around age 12 or 13)
meet this purpose. The legal age of adulthood is 18.
Traditionally, birthdays were not celebrated on the islands.
Today, extended family members may come together to enjoy
food, drink, and music, but parties for children with friends of
their own age are rare. As a more strict, Western conception
of time is not common on the islands, precise ages are not
Diet
French Polynesians enjoy French and Chinese cuisine in
addition to traditional native foods. Chinese food is a favorite
in the Society Islands, where Western dishes are also readily
available. In the Tuamotus, fish and coconut products are
common. The Australs enjoy a cooler climate favorable to
staples such as taro and sweet potatoes. French Polynesians
eat breadfruit cooked in coconut milk as an accompaniment to
poisson cru (raw fish in lime juice). Other common foods
include papaya, pineapples, mangoes, bananas, fafa (a type of
spinach), chicken, and pork. Fish is often baked or grilled.
Fafaru, or “smelly fish,” is fermented in seawater for several
days. Fruit puddings (poe') made with coconut milk are
popular as desserts. At a tamaaraa (a traditional feast
common at holidays and other special occasions), the food is
wrapped in banana leaves and cooked in an umu, or ahimaa
(ground oven).
Recreation
Polynesians enjoy spending their leisure time playing sports,
attending dances—which feature hip-hop, ballroom, or
traditional styles—and watching movies or television. The
most popular shows are soap operas from the United States or
South America. Women also like sunbathing and making
traditional handicrafts such as tifaifai (a two-layer patchwork
quilt) or hats and blankets woven from pandanus leaves. On
weekends, friends may gather for a bringue, a singing and
drinking party that often lasts until early morning. Youth in
Papeete frequent nightclubs.
Canoeing in traditional outrigger canoes (pirogues) is the
national sport and popular among all segments of the
population. The biggest annual sporting event is the Hawaikii
Nui Canoe Race between the islands of Huahine and Bora
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Bora. The race takes place over the course of three days in
October and features both local and international teams.
Windsurfing, swimming, fishing, and diving top a long list of
water sports. Surfing is the favorite water sport of the youth.
Many Tahitians have become international surfing
champions. Fishing with a line, net, or spear is enjoyed by
everyone. Soccer is popular, as are boxing, volleyball,
basketball, and cycling. Some people enjoy running in
marathons and other long-distance races.
Children enjoy playing in their yards, swimming, biking,
and playing video games. Siblings and cousins, rather than
friends, are their most common playmates. During school
vacation, from late June to early August, summer camps are
popular. These camps, which usually involve learning
traditional sports and crafts, are funded by the government or
local businesses and are therefore available to those of all
economic brackets. If children are home during school
vacations, they are expected to help out with extra household
chores.
During summer months, people often visit family on other
islands. Those who stay home work on maintaining their
houses and gardens. A minority of French Polynesians—those
who can afford to do so—travel internationally. A popular
destination for shopping is New Zealand, where a wider
variety of goods are available at lower prices. People travel to
France to visit friends and family who have migrated there.
Guided tours to other international destinations are also
popular.
Christmas and New Year's are the most important holidays
on the French Polynesian calendar. People decorate their
homes with fake Christmas trees and metallic garlands that
may stay up most of the year. On Christmas morning, people
exchange presents. Later, friends and family gather for a large
feast. Typical French Christmas foods are popular, though
menus vary by region. In the Tuamoto Archipelago, for
example, Napoleonfish (large, brightly colored fish) is usually
served. On New Year's Eve throughout the country, people
often eat French foie gras (a duck liver pâté imported from
France), drink champagne, and set off fireworks.
Chinese New Year is celebrated on a date calculated by
the lunar calendar but usually takes place in February or
March. It is popular not only among the islands' Chinese
population but among Polynesian and French citizens as well.
Before the new year, people clean their houses. Once the
two-week-long celebrations begin, they include parades and,
particularly in Tahiti, lion dances, in which two people wear a
lion costume and dance to drums. People also bathe in water
infused with citrus leaves for good luck.
Historically, the period from 20 November (Matarai'i I
Ni'a) to 18 May (Matarai'i I Raro), a time of plentiful fruit and
good fishing, was celebrated as a season of abundance.
Today, sufficient food is available year-round thanks to
imported goods, but the celebration of Matarai'i I Ni'a and
Matarai'i I Raro is becoming increasingly important as a part
of a Polynesian cultural revival. On these days, ceremonies
take place at marae (ancient sites of worship) or other outdoor
locations. Traditions surrounding the holiday are still
forming.
A cultural parade on 29 June kicks off Heiva, once called
the Tiurai (meaning “July”) festivities. The Bastille Day
parade is a parade of the French Armed Forces that takes part
during Heiva, though Heiva primarily commemorates
Polynesian warriors and culture. Heiva-related festivities
from June until August include athletic events in which
people race canoes and compete to see who can lift the
heaviest stones, carry the most fruit, and husk coconuts the
fastest. There are also singing competitions featuring songs
with traditional harmonies, parades, and other cultural events.
A Mr. and Miss Heiva are crowned at the end of a beauty
pageant. The season culminates with traditional dance
performances that take place around the country, the biggest
of which happens in Papeete, where dance schools and
professional troupes compete.
The Arts
Dance is among the most vibrant of French Polynesian art
forms. A popular style is the tamure, which incorporates rapid
hip and leg movements. Women move their hips back and
forth extremely fast, while men make scissor-like movements
with their knees. Costumes made from combinations of
coconut husks, shells, leaves, flowers, and grass are worn.
Large groups of dancers compete during tamure festivals.
Contemporary music is a fusion of traditional styles and
international influences. Guitars commonly provide
accompaniment, and the use of indigenous instruments such
as the wooden toere and pahu drums has become more
prevalent in recent years. Other important arts include
appliqué quilting, hat weaving, and tattooing. Traditional
tattoos of nature-inspired designs are done in black ink.
Quilting was introduced by missionaries, and today many
families have their own geometric, often floral-inspired,
patterns that they appliqué onto colorful bedspreads and
cushion covers.
SOCIETY
Holidays
Holidays include New Year's Day, Arrivée de l'Évangile
(Missionary Day, which commemorates the first missionaries
arriving in French Polynesia, on 5 March), Easter Monday,
Labor Day (1 May), Ascension, Pentecost Monday,
Autonomie Interne (Autonomy Day, celebrating Tahitian
self-rule, on 29 June), National Bastille Day (14 July),
Assumption of Virgin Mary (15 Aug.), Toussaint (All Saints'
Day, on 1 November), Veterans' Day (11 Nov.), and
Christmas.
Government
Head of State: Pres. François Hollande (France)
Head of Government: Pres. Gaston Flosse
Capital: Papeete
Structure
French Polynesia was an overseas territory of France from
1946 to 2003. In 2004, it was reclassified as an overseas
country within the French Republic and given greater
autonomy. The locally elected 57-seat Territorial Assembly
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French Polynesia
chooses a president by majority vote to be head of
government. Members of the Territorial Assembly serve
five-year terms.
French Polynesia's head of state remains France's
president, represented by a high commissioner. French
Polynesia has two representatives in France's National
Assembly and one in France's Senate. French Polynesia has
five administrative subdivisions.
Political Landscape
Sharply contrasting views on the islands' future relationship
with France characterize French Polynesian politics today.
Opposing groups include the Union for Democracy (UDLP)
coalition, which advocates independence, and the To Tatou
Ai'a (Our Homeland) coalition, which wants to retain strong
ties with France. The Territorial Assembly has been highly
volatile in recent years, as shifting allegiances among its
members have resulted in a different president chosen every
few months. Since early 2004, there have been no less than
nine changes in the presidency.
Government and the People
The French gendarmes are in charge of most law
enforcement, though some local police forces operate in
bigger urban areas. French Polynesia enjoys a generally low
crime rate. In May 2012, President Temaru announced that
his government would introduce an income tax. In addition to
voting for members of the Territorial Assembly, residents
also vote in France's presidential elections. The voting age is
18.
communication. Cellular phone use and text messaging are
popular, especially among the young. Internet use is on the
rise, though only wealthier residents own home computers.
Several radio and television stations, two daily newspapers,
and one monthly news magazine serve the islands.
Education
Adult Literacy: 98%
Mean Years of Schooling: NA
The French government has established primary, secondary,
and vocational schools on islands that comply with French
educational standards. Private religious schools are heavily
subsidized by the government and follow a public school
curriculum, with the addition of weekly religious classes.
School is compulsory from ages 6 to 14 and free to age 18.
Primary education lasts until age 11 and secondary until age
18. At age 14, students may enter an optional vocational or
academic track, depending on their aptitude and interests.
While nearly all islands have primary schools, only Tahiti
and Raiatea offer secondary schools. Therefore, students
outside of these two islands follow French-certified
homeschool programs or leave their home islands to attend
secondary school. Those who travel to Tahiti or Raiatea stay
with family or in dormitories. Such students often feel
disoriented, as it is the first time many have left their families
and islands and they may speak a Polynesian language (such
as Marquesan) not spoken on the larger islands. While some
adapt to city life and even remain in Tahiti or Raiatea to work
after graduating, the stress of being away from home and
family causes others to drop out of school and return to their
home islands.
Schools are equipped with basic materials, such as
blackboards, desks, paper, and pens. Some larger primary
schools offer computer rooms and basic libraries. Secondary
schools are better resourced and might have woodshop and
home economics facilities, for example. Teaching styles vary,
but an emphasis on memorization and analysis is common.
Children eat in school cafeterias, where they are served hot
lunches often prepared by parents in the community.
Though under French law children are not obligated to do
homework until fifth grade, primary students are usually
assigned up to an hour of homework per night. Middle-school
students are expected to complete one to three hours nightly.
The workload increases through secondary school. As
students get older, grades are determined almost exclusively
by exams, and beginning in eighth grade, they must pass an
exam at the end of each grade level in order to move on to the
next one. It is common for students to have to repeat their last
year of high school.
After high school, most students opt for vocational
training—in business or secretarial fields, for example. Adult
higher education programs are popular. The University of the
South Pacific offers degree programs, but many students
seeking university education travel to France or other
countries.
Economy
GDP (PPP) in billions: $5.65
GDP (PPP) per capita: $22,000
The economy of French Polynesia is strongly linked to
tourism, a crucial source of foreign-exchange earnings.
Agriculture is important, producing copra (dried coconut
meat), coconut oil, and vanilla for export and various foods
for domestic consumption. Mother-of-pearl is another major
export. Key industries include the cultivation of black (South
Sea) pearls, particularly in the Tuamotu Archipelago, and
deep-sea commercial fishing. The economy, once reliant on
subsistence agriculture, now provides most people with a
decent standard of living, although outer-islanders are more
likely to be poor. Subsistence farming and fishing remain
important on outer islands. France provides significant
financial aid to French Polynesia. The currency is the CFP
franc (XPF).
Transportation and Communications
Internet Users (per 100 people): 49
Cellular Phone Subscriptions (per 100 people): 81
Paved Roads: 67%
Several airlines link Tahiti to foreign countries. Commuter
planes and ferries provide domestic service between islands.
Motorbikes and cars are the most common form of private
transportation. Buses are numerous and keep fairly regular
schedules.
Systems are adequate for interisland and international
Health
The public healthcare system is heavily subsidized by France.
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French Polynesia
Two major hospitals and several private clinics are located on
Tahiti, but facilities are limited on other islands. Still,
throughout French Polynesia, health services are adequate for
most needs. Major health concerns include obesity and
diabetes.
AT A GLANCE
Contact Information
Embassy of France, 4101 Reservoir Road NW, Washington,
DC
20007;
phone
(202)
944-6000;
web
site
www.ambafrance-us.org. Tahiti Tourism Board, phone (310)
414-8484; web site www.tahiti-tourisme.com.
Country and Development Data
Capital
Population
Area (sq. mi.)
Area (sq. km.)
Human Development Index
Gender Inequality Index
GDP (PPP) per capita
Adult Literacy
Infant Mortality
Life Expectancy
Currency
CultureGrams
Papeete
277,293 (rank=178)
1,609 (rank=172)
4,167
NA
NA
$22,000
98% (male); 98% (female)
4.83 per 1,000 births
73 (male); 78 (female)
CFP franc
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