Last week, on the 20th of November, The Islands of Tahiti marked a major cultural milestone with the first-ever public holiday dedicated to Matari’i i ni’a, the traditional Polynesian celebration of the season of abundance signalled by the rising of the Pleiades constellation.
For generations, Matari’i has been an important cultural marker across French Polynesia, symbolising renewal, gratitude and the strengthening of community ties. Its elevation to an official public holiday brought the entire destination together in a way never seen before, from sunrise ceremonies and traditional dancing to food-sharing rituals and cultural workshops led by local communities.
The inaugural celebrations drew both locals and visitors into a week of vibrant, meaningful experiences, offering a rare look into Tahiti’s deep connection to its natural rhythms and ancestral traditions.
Following the Matari’i, other cultural events are taking place in the destination, including the ‘Ori Tahiti Nui Competition, and the Hura Taipairu Manihini, both of which are important dance and cultural events.
