Destinations Pacific Islands
Colourfully traditional
Brilliant white beaches, turquoise lagoons and cascading waterfalls may symbolize the Pacific Islands, but it’s the people and their often bizarre traditions that truly characterise the beautiful islands...
There are few things that symbolise the Hawaiian ‘aloha’ spirit more colourfully than the ‘lei’ - the traditional garland of fresh flowers given as a greeting and always accompanied by a kiss. The origins are uncertain, but this custom has become a cornerstone of Hawaiian life. Frangipani flower leis in spectacular colours are the most common, but they can be made from just about anything - including fruit, leaves and shells.
For Polynesians, dance is the most vibrant expression of their culture. Not only does it entertain tourists, but it helps them preserve their culture too.
When Europeans arrived in the 18th century, dancing held an important place in society - it was performed at rituals and in traditional temples. However, deemed to be too lewd, it was banned in 1819 (though continued in secret) and remained so until 1895 when tightly controlled performances were allowed to celebrate Bastille Day and the Heiva. Today, professional dance troops hold energetic performances all year round - a sight that’s certain to greet your ship’s arrival at these sunny shores.
Preserving ancient traditions is important to all residents of the South Pacific. In the Samoan Islands, sapio (also known as tapa) is one of the oldest cultural art forms. Sapio is name given to the bark cloth on which the distinctive Samoan paintings are created. The dyes are also sourced from nature – brown ‘o’a’ from the squeezed bark shavings of the Blood Tree, black ‘lama’ from the burnt kernel of the Candlenut and yellow ‘ago’ from Turmeric roots. This traditional artwork is available to purchase in the local craft stores of Apia on the Western Samoan Island of ‘Upolu.
One thing is certain, no matter how many islands you visit amidst these warm waters, you’ll discover something spectacularly stunning on each and every one of them.
If you are interested in learning more about the islands, traditions and customs of the Pacific visit: