Costumes
The costumes are a significant part of the show that is given since they
are a true trademark for some groups and also receive a mark during the Heiva.
They also permit to carry on a strong cultural tradition, guarantor of the
handicraft and of the local identity survival.
Moreover, there are three different types of costumes, one for the group chief - which has to be slightly different from the dancers' not to confuse them, one for the dancers and one for the musicians.
The costume is also different from one dance to another : dancers will wear a pareu or a cloth dress for the aparima, and a costume made of vegetals for the ote'a.
Finally, there are a lot of rules managing the Heiva contest which define true conventions : exclusive use of vegetal matters, hand-crafted costumes, use of the blue color only on cloth, jewelry forbidden…
Moreover, there are three different types of costumes, one for the group chief - which has to be slightly different from the dancers' not to confuse them, one for the dancers and one for the musicians.
The costume is also different from one dance to another : dancers will wear a pareu or a cloth dress for the aparima, and a costume made of vegetals for the ote'a.
Finally, there are a lot of rules managing the Heiva contest which define true conventions : exclusive use of vegetal matters, hand-crafted costumes, use of the blue color only on cloth, jewelry forbidden…
Traditional music
For the
local traditional orchestras, Heiva best orchestra contest has always been the
end of one hard work year so as a true rostrum where one can demonstrate his
talent : musicians qualities, rapidity of execution, melodies originality or on
the contrary tribute to old melodies, clothes… everything is juged.
Since 1998, the contest is divided into two parts : a compulsory program, and a free program. The compulsory program could be summarize like that : five musicians, five different instruments and five pieces that must be played with the most clearness and rigor as possible. As for the free program, it privilegiates original creation but also emphasizes on pieces difficulty, instruments and tones diversity.
• Though imported from the Cook islands, the to'ere -that exists in three different sizes- has become the polynesian percussion par excellence, perfectly integrating itself to pre-existing orchestras. Its fabrication in rosewood or tamanu demands a great agility and a fine ear from the sculptor in order to obtain the more just and large sounds scale. Actually, the instrumentist will obtain the desired sounds only while changing the hitting point.
• The tari parau is a sort of polynesian bass drum for it is hit with a felt drumstick and produces bass and dull tones. It can also be hit with hands to give little offbeats or to atenuate vibrations.
• The 'ihara is a bamboo split in thin strips hit with two drumsticks.
• The pahuis the polynesian instrument that the more looks like the world others percussions, as the African djembe for instance. It can be noticed that as in the rest of the world, this drum has had numerous uses : to encourage warriors during a fight, to accompany the marae ceremonies, to give rythm to Heiva evenings…
• The vivo is a three-holes-bamboo flute in which the instrumentist blows with its nose. Though it can only play few notes, the vivo produces wonderful sounds thanks to the harmonization efforts of the musicians while playing in groups.
Music
Since 1998, the contest is divided into two parts : a compulsory program, and a free program. The compulsory program could be summarize like that : five musicians, five different instruments and five pieces that must be played with the most clearness and rigor as possible. As for the free program, it privilegiates original creation but also emphasizes on pieces difficulty, instruments and tones diversity.
• Though imported from the Cook islands, the to'ere -that exists in three different sizes- has become the polynesian percussion par excellence, perfectly integrating itself to pre-existing orchestras. Its fabrication in rosewood or tamanu demands a great agility and a fine ear from the sculptor in order to obtain the more just and large sounds scale. Actually, the instrumentist will obtain the desired sounds only while changing the hitting point.
• The tari parau is a sort of polynesian bass drum for it is hit with a felt drumstick and produces bass and dull tones. It can also be hit with hands to give little offbeats or to atenuate vibrations.
• The 'ihara is a bamboo split in thin strips hit with two drumsticks.
• The pahuis the polynesian instrument that the more looks like the world others percussions, as the African djembe for instance. It can be noticed that as in the rest of the world, this drum has had numerous uses : to encourage warriors during a fight, to accompany the marae ceremonies, to give rythm to Heiva evenings…
• The vivo is a three-holes-bamboo flute in which the instrumentist blows with its nose. Though it can only play few notes, the vivo produces wonderful sounds thanks to the harmonization efforts of the musicians while playing in groups.
Music