The
UH Manoa Library presents two exhibits, Tau Rima Tahiti
and 'Ite 'Upa'upa, curated by ethnomusicology candidate
Scott
Bartlett,
in the Hamilton Library Bridge and Phase II Galleries from
March 2 to April 28, 2009.
Tau
Rima Tahiti: Crafting Performance showcases the craft
artists and the material artifacts of 'Ori Tahiti.
Examples of locally made costumes and instruments show how
artists preserve Tahitian traditions through craftsmanship,
innovation, creative use of resources, and the transmission
of knowledge.
Builders and makers construct these objects for the stage
production, but their craftsmanship
is
a performance in and of itself. The materials of Tau Rima
Tahiti celebrate these craftspeople and their central
role in preserving Tahitian culture.
‘Ite
‘Upa‘upa features the resources on Tahitian
performance are held in the Pacific Collection of Hamilton
Library. Developed collaboratively with Librarian Stuart Dawrs,
the exhibit highlights photos and books on Tahitian dance
and culture.
'Ori
Tahiti: Tahitian Dance Amateur and professional dance groups in both Tahiti and Hawai'i
perform for special occasions or entertainment, and may compete
for prestige and prizes at annual Heiva festivals. These festivals
provide a venue for solo and group competition. For the overall
presentation, each group chooses its own program theme. This theme
drives song selection, choreography, and costume design. Groups
take great pride in their fine costumes, which also factor into
the judging criteria. Each group's presentation is dramatically
introduced or narrated by the ra'atira,
director.
The
group à la carte presentations focus on isolated genres:
Pupu
Ta'iri Tō'ere, drumming presentation, and the standard
dance styles. One additional dance form found in the à
la carte exhibition is the 'ahuroa or 'ahupurotu.
A slower version of the 'aparima, this form is named after
the full-length dress worn by the vahine or mamaru'au,
the grandmothers. In solo competition, dancers employ 'ōte'a
style movements. Awards range from jewelry and small trophies for
solo categories to musical instruments and cash prizes.
The
full group presentation must include the following dance genres:
'ōte'a
| video
This presentation dance is almost synonymous with Tahiti. The 'ōte'a
features coordinated movements, with dancers arranged in rows and
columns and accompanied by the drum ensemble. Dancers wear elaborate
costumes featuring the more skirt, made from the shredded
inner bark of the hau, hibiscus tree.
'Aparima
| video
Often described as "dancing with the hands" (Etua Tahauri),
the 'aparima tells a story through established motifs. A
typical 'aparima theme would be a love story layered in metaphor.
Dancers wear simple but elegant pareu or malo wraps,
and sing to the accompaniment of guitar and 'ukarere, Tahitian
banjo.
Hivinau
| video
Opposing circles of male and female dancers surround the drums,
and offer a stock phrase in response to the ra'atira hivinau's
heightened speech. At turns the opposing circles face one another
and share a brief 'ote'a style dance.
Pa'o'a
| video
Another call-and-response recitation, the pa'o'a features
seated dancers who accompany the drums by slapping their thighs.
The chorus either echoes or continues the ra'atira pa'o'a's
humorous or bawdy story, and individual couples may rise to dance
amidst the song.
