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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.
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.
« Mono’i » is a Aparima. « Apa » means move and « rima » means hand. Aparima mixes hand and body moves in a kind of elaborate pantomime. “Mono’i” won first prize for Aparima at the 2009 Heiva i Tahiti dance competition.
Original text of the song
(Makau Foster Delcuvellerie)
E ua hiti te mahana
I ni’a i to’u fenua
O tahiti nui to’u ai’a here
Te mono’i tupuna
Te mono’i ena e iau
Teie to’u tino
E teie te mono’i ora
E teie to’u hinaaro
A tavai i to tama
Teie rui hanahana – no te hura nui
Ia anapa to’u iri ravarava
Mai te fetu i te ra’i anoano
Ua i to’u mata to’u reo
To’u tino i te mono’i ora
Ua i te hohonura’a o to’u
A’au i te mono’i here
E tapao teie no te here metua
A mau te faufa’a tupuna
A tavai a tavai a tavai
I to tama
Te mono’i tiare
Teie to’u tino
A tavai to tama
Song translation
(Makau Foster Delcuvellerie & Marc E. Louvat)
The sun is rising on my land
O Tahiti, my beloved country
Mono’i of my ancestors
I am yours, my body belongs to you
Mono’i that gives life
And quenches my desires
You allow me to anoint the child.
In this magic night when we celebrate Tahitian dancing
Our skin shines like a star
Up in the limitless sky.
My eyes, my voice and my body
Are yours, oil of life.
Deep in my heart.
Love for mono’i.
This is how our ancestors passed it on to us.
Heritage transmitted with love.
Living heritage.
It allows me to anoint the child
With Tiare scented mono’i.
Source : Marc E.Louvat
