Spread across nearly 2,000,000 square miles of the South Pacific, in an area as large as the continent of Europe, lies the Territory of French Polynesia and its principal island, Tahiti.
Settlers from Southeast Asia are thought to have first arrived in the Marquesas Islands, in the northeastern part of what is today called French Polynesia, around 300 AD and in the Society Islands, including Tahiti, to the west by about 800 AD. Prior to the first European contact, the islands were ruled by a hierarchy of hereditary tribal chiefs.
The first Europeans to visit the area were the English explorers Samuel Wallis in 1767 and James Cook in 1769. French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville arrived in 1768 and claimed the islands for France. In the late 1700s occasional ships arrived in the islands, most notably the H.M.S. Bounty in 1788, captained by William Bligh.
The first missionaries, from the London Missionary Society, arrived in the islands in 1797. By 1815, with the support of the most powerful ruling family in the islands, the Pomares, the British missionaries had secured a strong influence in much of the Society Islands, doing everything possible to eliminate traditional Polynesian culture by barring traditional dance and music as well as destroying carvings and temples associated with native religion.
The French continued to hold influence over the Marquesian Archipelago and eventually were successful in expelling the British and securing influence over much of what today constitutes French Polynesia, leaving the ruling Pomare family as little more than figureheads.
In 1880, King Pomare V was forced to abdicate, and a French colony was proclaimed. By 1901, the colony included the Austral Islands, the Gambier Archipelago, the Marquesas Islands, the Society Islands and the Tuamotu atolls to the southeast. The first half of the twentieth century saw periods of nationalistic protest in the colonies which were by then called the Établissements français d'Océanie (French Pacific Settlements).
It was not, however, until after World War II, when Tahitians who had served France returned home, that pressure forced the French government to extend French citizenship to all islanders. The first territorial assembly was established in 1946, and by 1949 the islands obtained representation in the French Assembly.
In 1957, the territory was officially renamed the Territory of French Polynesia. The Republic of France is represented in the territory by a high commissioner appointed by the Republic. Throughout the second half of the twentieth century, limited autonomy was granted to the territorial government to control socioeconomic policy but not defense, law and order, or foreign affairs. While many citizens seek independence from France, those in control of the local government are widely opposed to such a move.
As is seen in much of the Pacific region, native culture has seen a rebirth in recent years. The Tahitian language is once again taught in schools and even used in government meetings. Once all but obliterated by the missionaries, the traditional arts of music and native dance (tamure) are now celebrated.
However, despite this rediscovered culture, increases in tourism, and the various local industries such as fishing and pearl farming, the territory still remains highly dependent on France for its survival.
History and Culture of French Polynesia

Most Polynesian cultures lived near the ocean and never traveled very far inland. There are, however, many facinating 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 arrive 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.
We visited the 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 Captian Cook's voyages.
Marae were open air sancuaries 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 appearently dealt with these problems by abducting women and assimilating them into their tribes.
Traditions
Today the traditional way of life is kept alive by many Polynesians living on Moorea today. 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.

The islands of French Polynesia come in two basic types. There are the islands of volcanic origin like Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora, and the coral atoll islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago. The Marquises Islands, about 600 miles to the north east of Tahiti, are also of volcanic origin.
The islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago are coral islands that range from 10 to 60 miles across. These islands are very narrow, however, only about two- hundred yards to half a mile wide, and form rings that enclose their lagoons. Coral atolls are built up over time by the tiny coral animals that grow on the tops of ancient sunken volcanos. In fact, the very bottom of a lagoon use to be a volcanic caldera.
The coral atolls of French Polynesia exhibit a phenomenon known as geothermic end upwelling. Cold water from the bottom of the ocean surrounding the atoll seeps into the porous calcareous material below the atoll and is forced by hydrostatic pressure into the lagoon.
This cold water is full of salt nutrients that organisms need to survive. This explains the great diversity of live in the lagoons, including the black lipped oysters that make pearls. This also explains why we observed the water in the lagoon to be flowing out into the ocean for five straight days.

Tahiti
The island of Tahiti is actually two islands that are joined together by a small isthmus. The larger island is known as Tahiti Nui (or greater Tahiti) and the smaller part is Tahiti Iti (lesser Tahiti).
Papeete is the capital of all French Polynesia and it lies on the far northwestern coast of Tahiti. This is the business heart of the islands as well as the government center.
Moorea
About twelve miles northwest of Tahiti lies perhaps the most beautiful place on the face of the earth, the paradise island known as Moorea. The island itself is shaped like a heart and is a favorite spot for honeymooners.
On Moorea are ancient Polynesian ruins, spectacular waterfalls, gorgeous mountain scenery, lust tropical vegitation, and inviting bays. Nightly there are traditional fire dances and music. The best spot to see these dances is at the "Tiki Village."
Cooks bay was made famous by Captian Cook who in 1774 became the first westerner to visit the island. At the time the tribes of Moorea and Tahiti were at war with each other. The ruins, known as marae, are available for site-seeing.
For some photos and more history of Moorea check out our page on Polynesian History.
Manihi
Manahi is an atoll north of Tahiti that has luxurious accomodations for the travel. Manihi also has thriving pearl farms in the lagoon. Fortunately Manihi can be reached by an hour's plane ride; otherwise it would take a day by boat to get there.
Katiu is a coral atoll far out in the South Pacific ocean. People travele there to visit the the black pearl farmers who make their living the Katiu's beautiful lagoon.
Since Katiu has no airport the only way to get there is via a 350 mile boat ride. About once a week the cargo transport Hotu Maru travels to Katiu bringing much needed supplies and the occational traveler.
People ride for 36 hours on the Hotu Maru, which means 'the money's is coming slowly' in Tahitian. The Hotu Maru is no cruise ship. Passengers must fend for themselves, finding some place on deck to sleep. There is no food service and they don't even provide you with water (you have to haul in your own bottled supply).

How to Cite this Page

MLA Citation:
"Tahiti and the French Polynesia." 123HelpMe.com. 20 Jan 2014 .