Cook Islands Videos Blog

Cook Islands Dancing

The Cook Islands Dancing displays are renowned throughout Polynesia for their expression and sensuality. Many of the dances are based on ancient stories and tell a tale of love or adventure and in some cases both.

The gifts of music, song and dance play a large part in the culture of the Cook Islands and native children are introduced to them at a very young age.

The Dances

Each of the 15 islands that make up the Cook Islands nation has a slightly different dancing technique which makes their performances unique. Children begin to dance
as soon as they can walk and the islands compete in a festival once a year for the honour of being the best.

In general, the women dance with a swaying hip movement that slowly goes from side to side. They dance with flat feet – which is hard to do while swaying the hips – and the shoulders should be kept absolutely still. In fact girls and young women are judged on how still they keep their shoulders while dancing – the stiller they are the better dancer they are considered to be.

The men meanwhile dance with slightly bended knees which they knock together in time with the drum beat. They also have a grinding movement and overall their dance is very jerky when compared to the smooth swaying of the women. The two dances are completely opposite but when they are performed together they produce a dance which is simply described as spellbinding.

The Music

Cook Island dancing is always accompanied by music and on most occasions there are singers as well. The singers and drummers from these small islands are considered by many to be the best in Polynesia and they are known around the world

for their perfectionism. The singers tell traditional tales in the native language while the drummers and other musicians accompany them with a rhythmic beating of their drums. The music is described as being hypnotic and when combined with the swaying dancers and the general atmosphere, Cook Island dancing really is something to behold.

The Costumes

Cook Island dancing wouldn’t be complete without the traditional costumes. The skirts, which are worn by both men and women, are made from cotton material or bark cloth covered with grass, long green leaves and dried bark strips. Around the waist there is a titi which is much like a decorated belt. These are often adorned with shells, seeds, bright leaves and colourful flowers.

The headdresses are also made from bright flowers and are very ornamental. They are easily the most prominent part of the costume and the men regularly have feathers attached for added height. The costumes can take months to make, especially if they are for an upcoming festival, however once made they can last for years.

Where to watch Cook Islands Dancing

Many of the resorts on Rarotonga – the main island – and Aitutaki hold dance performances each week throughout the year. People staying at the resorts can watch for free however non-residents have to pay a small admission fee. For this fee though, they are allowed to watch the performance and take in the time-honoured atmosphere with the music, costumes and a traditional home-cooked feast. Many of the resorts encourage visitors to join in with the dancing so that they can get a feel for the movements and the sensuality of the dances.

Rarotonga is also home to the Cook Islands Cultural Village. This is an educational village where visitors can learn about the history of the Cook Islands and the rituals that are performed there. There is a section of the village which explains the history of the dances and what some of the movements mean. This allows visitors to better understand the dances when they see them performed.

Conclusion

Cook Islands dancing dates back thousands of years however the performers today show just as much expression as the ancestors that created the unique movements. Music and dancing play a large part in the lives of the Cook Islanders and they are arts that the inhabitants will always be known for. Tradition is also sacred to the people of the islands and the tradition of the dances is one that will continue to be passed on with each new generation.

Te Mire Kapa compz rarotonga

Duration : 0:5:59