Pofai Te Tiare (Mono'i)

Safeguard the ancestral knowhow of the « fenua » (homeland), such is the message of the “Tamariki Poerani” dance company’s production of “Mono’i”, directed by choreographer Makau Foster Delcuvellerie.

Choreography Makau Foster Delcuvellerie

Dance performance Compagnie Tamaraki Poerani

Safeguard the ancestral knowhow of the « fenua » (homeland), such is the message of the “Tamariki Poerani” dance company’s production of “Mono’i”, directed by choreographer Makau Foster Delcuvellerie. With the Mono’i, sacred Polynesian oil, rituals and traditions are transmitted and perpetuated. Sole owners of its secret, Polynesians have been using Mono’i  on a daily basis for thousands of years. Tamariki Poerani pays Mono’i a wonderful tribute with this show. Presented at the 2009 Heiva i Tahiti, “Mono’i” won 4 grand prizes: Best Aparima Vahine, Best Ote’a Tane, Best Vegetal Costume, Best Ute Arearea.

“Pofai te tiare” opened the “Mono’i” show. It’s an “ote’a”, form of dancing accompanied by percussions: to’ere, fa’atete, tahiri parau and pahu tupai.

Mono’i in tahitian language(Makau Foster Delcuvellerie)Haatavai te vai nei Haatavai raa, tei tupu na Mai raro roamai, ite apurima ote fenua Iau ito ivi na, ite aere vai, otou metua vahine Ua rumirumi te vai, itou na, vai raa Ua faamu te taura, e taamu iau ite pu fenua  Ei hei manava nou, ite ao taata Ei hei manava nou, ite ao fenua Ei hei manava nou, ite ao ote aru  Ea hara te tavai, ia tavai ia vai E iho te tavai, iau nei te taata E iho fenua teie, e vai nei E aru fenua teie, e vai nei  I hee te tua mai nei au, ite ao nei Ua rave te fenua, itou puna E tuu i raro ite tumu ote fenua Ia pu fenua a tou Ia pu fenua a te tama  Te fenua e No oe nei au itama ai No oe nei au i noanoa ai te aru fenua No oe nei au ireo ai No oe nei au…

Mono’i in english language(Translation Makau Foster Delcuvellerie & Eric Delcuvellerie)

Mono’i for a birthMono’i to honour our ancestorsSacred oil, born of the earth, foundation of our countryLike a child in his mother’s bellyMassaged by the liquid around himAnd fed though the umbilical cord.

This is the way the child is welcomed in the world of menThis is the way he is going to grow rootsThis the way he will be born blessed

Why anoint? Because it’s life.Why anoint? Because it’s a breath of lifeWhy our earth? Because it allows us to liveWhy our earth? Because it is life

I came into this world covered in mono’iMy placenta went back to the ground to make it richerThese are my rootsMy child’s roots

My earthThanks to you I am hereThanks to you I smell goodThanks to you I am what I am

Sources : Marc E.Louvat

Credits

Tamariki PoeraniChoreography Makau Foster Delcuvellerie (Tamariki PoeraniCompany)Video direction Patrick Mirakian  Editing Marc E. Louvat technical means Tahiti Nui TélévisionProduction Tamariki Poerani / Atelier Tahiti Docs / Heiva Nui / TNTVProduced in July 2009Heiva i Tahiti 2009 was organized by Heiva Nui.

Updating : July 2011