Colors of Aitutaki Island - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Even though the local population is called the Māori, they actually have not much in common with New Zealand people. About 90% of the islanders are descendants of diverse Polynesian nationalities who came to the island due to the migration process through the Pacific Ocean. Even local Māori Kuki Airani language has loan words from Fijian, Samoan and Tahitian dialects of Polynesia. It’s interesting that Aitutaki people call their own language Te Reo Lpukarea meaning «from homeland inherited». Many locals can also speak English because of the great number of tourists and close position to New Zealand. Besides, their speech is quite understandable despite a rather unusual accent.

Islanders still live in communities just like hundred years ago. One community can include several small villages which can also be remote for several kilometres from each other. Indigenous people who have their own complicated chains of family relations and mutual liabilities live in these villages. Men are the head of families but, at the same time, women’s opinion is of the same importance, and it’s quite a connection with ancient Polynesian matriarchy traditions. Moreover, locals are already used to tourists who come to visit their villages so they actually don’t mind telling them about themselves and the way they live. As you come to one of the local settlements, you should bring gif to the oldest man in the village or to a man of the house. It’s better to bring something that definitely wouldn’t oblige a person. Locals just can’t refuse from any gift and they also have to present something in return. Remember that it’s not approved here when somebody raises one’s voice during conversations. Beyond that, loud speech or screaming will be taken as manifestations of threats. In addition, take your shoes off as you enter a house. One more taboo here is touching people’s heads – and especially kids’. Greeting is absolutely casual like in most countries – a handshake.

Locals don’t approve modern tendency wearing no or partially no clothes. So, if you decided to go somewhere outside touristic zones and beaches, put on, for instance, a shirt and trousers instead of shorts and a T-shirt. Furthermore, one is not allowed to sunbathe topless or naked on crowded beaches. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Despite the fact that the majority of modern inhabitants don’t recall that many local legends about the creation of the world, still most people here belong to the Christian religion. The Christian church of the Cook Islands has the greatest number of followers, and, what is more, you can find temples all around the island. If you’d like to, you can visit them even during service. Just remember that you have to act in line and wear right clothes. Women also have to put on a dress or a skirt and a hat.

Nobody is in a hurry on Aitutaki Island. Locals strongly believe that all in good time and just can’t understand the European pace of life.

Traditional dance is even now an extremely important part of local culture for natives. It’s a significant component of all local events: childbirth, wedding, funeral, and even purchase of an especially expensive property. Many locals also love singing and playing national musical instruments. There are also several church choirs here and almost the whole island enjoys watching their performances.

Various sports competitions are not least popular. Football, rugby, sea kayaking – that’s what locals do in their free time.

Dogs and roosters are walking around the streets just as a part of country life and many locals will say Kia Orana! to you what means blessing or wishing for good fortune.

The traditional cultural festival takes place the Island Nice on the second week of February. You can see dance and song performances and even visit a market of products made by local craftsmen.

A competition of artistic quilting – tivaevae – is rather fascinating too. One of the most significant local festivals is Te Maeva Nui – a celebration of the local constitution – that lasts for 10 days and begins at the closet Friday to the 4th August. Diverse sports competitions, artistic performances and reconstruction of important historical events take place during the festival’s program. Locals also greatly celebrate Gospel days. People play the arrival of missionaries on the island. The colourful celebration of Tiaré flowers takes place at the end of November.