History of Polynesian Dance
Abolished in 1820 by the British puritan missionaries, the Polynesian dance made a timid
come back at early 20th century but kept closed in restraint during the 50
following years. The costumes only allowed to see the face, the feet and the
hands ; the gestures and attitudes were fixed… A renewal only appeared in the
second half of the 20th century, but unfortunately, cultural losses were huge.
Opening and codification were the two words that best summarized the evolution of the Polynesian dance since the 1950'. Step by step, the pressure exercised by strong personalities like Madeleine MOUA allowed to raise interdictions and to attend a renewal of this art, deprived of any expression for long. A wave of steps and gestures seeking and codification as executed before the Europeans arrival started, but it was not easy.
Since 1998, Heiva contests allow to conciliate these two elements promoting both creativity and respect of tradition. Tradition is paid tribute thanks to the Madeleine Moua Tradition Prize or to the Claire Leverd Prize which rewards the group that best defended the original traditions. But creation is also rewarded through the Gilles Hollande free creation Great Prize. Gilles Hollande was actually a great dancer and choreographer of the 1990' that revolutionized Polynesian dance and made it famous all around the world.
More about the history.
Opening and codification were the two words that best summarized the evolution of the Polynesian dance since the 1950'. Step by step, the pressure exercised by strong personalities like Madeleine MOUA allowed to raise interdictions and to attend a renewal of this art, deprived of any expression for long. A wave of steps and gestures seeking and codification as executed before the Europeans arrival started, but it was not easy.
Since 1998, Heiva contests allow to conciliate these two elements promoting both creativity and respect of tradition. Tradition is paid tribute thanks to the Madeleine Moua Tradition Prize or to the Claire Leverd Prize which rewards the group that best defended the original traditions. But creation is also rewarded through the Gilles Hollande free creation Great Prize. Gilles Hollande was actually a great dancer and choreographer of the 1990' that revolutionized Polynesian dance and made it famous all around the world.
More about the history.