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Tahiti

• 

  Image (To'o) Representing the God 'Oro, 18th century
  Maohi (Tahitian) people, Tahiti, French Polynesia
  Wood, coconut husk fiber, traces of feathers; H. 18 1/8 in. (46 cm)
  The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979 (1979.206.1481)

• 

  Handle for a Fly Whisk (Tahiri), 18th century or earlier
  Maohi (Tahitian) people, Tahiti, French Polynesia
  Whale ivory, fiber; H. 11 3/4 in. (27.9 cm)
  The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchase, Nelson A. Rockefeller Gift, 1965 (1978.412.875)

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Situated in the heart of Polynesia, the island of Tahiti has long held a fascination for Westerners, particularly the philosophers of the Romantic movement who held it to be an earthly paradise. In reality, however, the Tahitians, who referred (and refer) to themselves as "Maohi," had the same virtues and failings found in any human society. Like many other Polynesian peoples, the Tahitians formerly lived in a rigidly stratified society. At the top were the ali'i, or ruling chiefly class, a hereditary aristocracy believed to be descended directly from the gods and to embody the sacred power, or mana, on earth. Below the ali'i were the ra'atira, landed farmers and warriors, and below them the manahune, or commoners. Mainly living along the coast, the Tahitians were dependent for their sustenance on both agriculture and the rich bounty of the seas that surrounded their island home.

Tahitian art served two primary functions—to honor and communicate with the diversity of gods, spirits, and ancestors of Tahitian religion and to adorn the bodies of chiefs, warriors, and other high-ranking individuals.

Related

Cited Works of Art or Images (2)

• 
• 

Timelines (1)

• Polynesia, 1600–1800 a.d.

Primary Thematic Essays (4)

• Early Maori Woodcarvings
• European Exploration of the Pacific, 1600-1800 A.D.
• Mangarevan Sculpture
• Paul Gauguin (1848

Other Thematic Essays (4)

• Easter Island
• Lapita Pottery (ca. 1500–500 B.C.)
• Musical Instruments of Oceania
• The Batak

Maps (2)

• Oceania, 1600-1800 A.D.
• World, 1600-1800 A.D.

Index Terms (10)

Art Movement/Style

• Mangarevan Period in Oceanic and Pacific Art
• Maohi Art in Tahiti
• Maori Art in New Zealand

Geography/Place

• Polynesia

Material and Technique

• Sculpture in the Round from Oceania

Object

• Ceremonial Implement

Subject Matter/Theme

• Deity
• Indigenous Deity from Oceania
• Ruler
• Magic

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As in many parts of Polynesia, Tahitian art served two primary functions—to honor and communicate with the diversity of gods, spirits, and ancestors of Tahitian religion and to adorn the bodies of chiefs, warriors, and other high-ranking individuals. Like other Polynesian societies, the Tahitians worshipped four primary gods—Ta'aroa, Tane, Tu, and Ro'o. However, at least in the late prehistoric and early historic period, a fifth god, 'Oro, the god of war and son of Ta'aroa, reigned supreme. In Tahitian art, 'Oro was represented by clublike images consisting of a wooden core wrapped in layers of woven coconut fiber on which facial and other anatomical features were only lightly delineated 1979.206.1481.



In addition to these more abstract 'Oro images, the Tahitians also produced a variety of more naturalistic renditions of the human form. Some of them likely represented gods, spirits, or human ancestors, which were called upon to serve the community in time of need. Others served as canoe ornaments or were used in the practice of malevolent magic.



Another important focus of the arts in Tahiti was the adornment of chiefs, priests, warriors, and other high-status individuals. Certain items, such as intricately carved ceremonial fly whisks with handles of whale ivory 1978.412.875, wooden stools, and long girdles adorned with precious bird feathers, served to mark and emphasize their owner's chiefly rank and sacred status.



Department of Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Citation Department of AAOA. "Tahiti". In Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2000–. http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/tahi/hd_tahi.htm (October 2003) Further Reading Barrow, Terence The Art of Tahiti and the Neighbouring Society, Austral, and Cook Islands. London: Thames & Hudson, 1979. Henry, Teuira Ancient Tahiti. New York: Kraus Reprint, 1985. Oliver, Douglas L. Ancient Tahitian Society. 3 vols. . Honolulu: University Press of Hawai'i, 1974. Related exhibitions and online features Special Exhibitions (including upcoming, current, and past exhibitions)