| A 100-picture slide show of the island of Moorea in the Tahitian Island courtesy of Brendan Vacations, a premier tour provider with escorted and independent vacation packages for all over the world. |
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Moorea, meaning "offshoot" or "yellow lizard," depending on who you ask, has also been known through history as Aimeho (though
Captain Cook spelled it Eimeo) and Fe'e (octopus). The "octopus" idea came from the ridges that today divide the island into eight
segments.
Captain Cook, the first main European influence of much of Polynesia, spent only a week in Moorea. Surprisingly, he anchored in
Opunohu Bay and didn't even visit the one for which he is the namesake! This visit probably tainted the natives' view of Europeans, as
he destroyed many canoes and houses when the islanders refused to return a stolen goat. At the time, Polynesians didn't have the
western concept of 'ownership' (which would be an interesting way to live...).
Pomare I of Tahiti conquered Moorea in 1792, with a little assistance from the Bounty mutineers - in the form of weapons. Sixteen years
later, Pomare II began his exile on the island after he failed to bring all of Tahiti under his command. He was joined on Moorea by a
party of English missionaries who, several years later, achieved a fifteen-year goal of theirs: Pomare II had finally been converted. It won
Moorea a special place in the history of Christianity. In 1815, the high priest of Oro accepted Protestantism openly and publicly,
emphasizing his statement by burning the "heathen idols" at Papetoai. The whole population followed his example rather quickly.
Pomare II eventually succeeded in re-conquering Tahiti. It was achieved with the assistance of the missionaries in 1815 - the true
reason for his acceptance to being "converted." Moorea soon became just a backdrop for Tahiti, although a beautiful,
plantation-covered one. Most Polynesian cultures lived near the ocean and never traveled very far inland. There are, however, many
fascinating ruins on the island of Moorea dating back to the thirteenth century A.D. which are inland. These ruins are generally known as
marae. The inland tribes abandoned their land and moved to the coast when missionaries arrived at the beginning of the nineteenth
century.
Captain Cook was the first westerner to see Tahiti and Moorea in 1774. He estimated the population of Tahiti to be around two hundred
thousand. While he was here he saw a flotilla of two-hundred war canoes with about ten thousand warriors set out for Moorea. In 1777 he
returned to discover that the assault had been unsuccessful. Chief Mahine of the Moorea clan Marama allowed him to drop anchor in
what is now known as Cook's Bay.
Marae Ahu o Mahine on Moorea. No one knows the original name as it is lost in history but local tradition names it after the great Chief
Mahine who ruled the area at the time of Captain Cook's voyages. Marae were open air sanctuaries that were used as social, political,
and commercial gathering points for the Polynesians. New maraes were built around the stones of older marae or stones carried in from
other marae.
When a chief died a sacred war canoe was brought up from the coast and burned at the marae. The best time for burning was either the
summer or the winter solstice as that was considered the gateway time to the stars.
Many of the wars fought by the ancient Polynesians had to do with stealing the women of other tribes. The isolation of these islands
poses many problems for sustaining stable populations. The ancient Polynesians apparently dealt with these problems by abducting
women and assimilating them into their tribes.
Today the traditional way of life is kept alive by many Polynesians living on Moorea. You will find many musical and dances shows if you
visit the island.
On the west coast of Moorea is the the Tiki Village where many people live life in the ancient way. There you will find fishermen, dancers,
and fire breathers. Moorea has almost 11,000 inhabitants who are either Polynesian or "Demi" (mixed blood of Chinese, European,
American, and Polynesian.) The inhabitants are scattered all around the islands and in the valleys. 48% of the population is under 20
years of age. The principal sources of employment are fishing, agriculture (mainly pineapple, vanilla, and citrus fruit growing,) and
tourism, but many people go to Tahiti to work every day.
Captain Cook spelled it Eimeo) and Fe'e (octopus). The "octopus" idea came from the ridges that today divide the island into eight
segments.
Captain Cook, the first main European influence of much of Polynesia, spent only a week in Moorea. Surprisingly, he anchored in
Opunohu Bay and didn't even visit the one for which he is the namesake! This visit probably tainted the natives' view of Europeans, as
he destroyed many canoes and houses when the islanders refused to return a stolen goat. At the time, Polynesians didn't have the
western concept of 'ownership' (which would be an interesting way to live...).
Pomare I of Tahiti conquered Moorea in 1792, with a little assistance from the Bounty mutineers - in the form of weapons. Sixteen years
later, Pomare II began his exile on the island after he failed to bring all of Tahiti under his command. He was joined on Moorea by a
party of English missionaries who, several years later, achieved a fifteen-year goal of theirs: Pomare II had finally been converted. It won
Moorea a special place in the history of Christianity. In 1815, the high priest of Oro accepted Protestantism openly and publicly,
emphasizing his statement by burning the "heathen idols" at Papetoai. The whole population followed his example rather quickly.
Pomare II eventually succeeded in re-conquering Tahiti. It was achieved with the assistance of the missionaries in 1815 - the true
reason for his acceptance to being "converted." Moorea soon became just a backdrop for Tahiti, although a beautiful,
plantation-covered one. Most Polynesian cultures lived near the ocean and never traveled very far inland. There are, however, many
fascinating ruins on the island of Moorea dating back to the thirteenth century A.D. which are inland. These ruins are generally known as
marae. The inland tribes abandoned their land and moved to the coast when missionaries arrived at the beginning of the nineteenth
century.
Captain Cook was the first westerner to see Tahiti and Moorea in 1774. He estimated the population of Tahiti to be around two hundred
thousand. While he was here he saw a flotilla of two-hundred war canoes with about ten thousand warriors set out for Moorea. In 1777 he
returned to discover that the assault had been unsuccessful. Chief Mahine of the Moorea clan Marama allowed him to drop anchor in
what is now known as Cook's Bay.
Marae Ahu o Mahine on Moorea. No one knows the original name as it is lost in history but local tradition names it after the great Chief
Mahine who ruled the area at the time of Captain Cook's voyages. Marae were open air sanctuaries that were used as social, political,
and commercial gathering points for the Polynesians. New maraes were built around the stones of older marae or stones carried in from
other marae.
When a chief died a sacred war canoe was brought up from the coast and burned at the marae. The best time for burning was either the
summer or the winter solstice as that was considered the gateway time to the stars.
Many of the wars fought by the ancient Polynesians had to do with stealing the women of other tribes. The isolation of these islands
poses many problems for sustaining stable populations. The ancient Polynesians apparently dealt with these problems by abducting
women and assimilating them into their tribes.
Today the traditional way of life is kept alive by many Polynesians living on Moorea. You will find many musical and dances shows if you
visit the island.
On the west coast of Moorea is the the Tiki Village where many people live life in the ancient way. There you will find fishermen, dancers,
and fire breathers. Moorea has almost 11,000 inhabitants who are either Polynesian or "Demi" (mixed blood of Chinese, European,
American, and Polynesian.) The inhabitants are scattered all around the islands and in the valleys. 48% of the population is under 20
years of age. The principal sources of employment are fishing, agriculture (mainly pineapple, vanilla, and citrus fruit growing,) and
tourism, but many people go to Tahiti to work every day.
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| Brendan Vacations 21625 Prairie St. Chatsworth, CA 91311-5833 800-421-8446 info@brendanvacations.com www.brendanvacations.com |
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| President of Brendan Vacations, Contact Promotion in Motion at 323-461-3921 brad@promotioninmotion.net www.promotioninmotion.net |
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