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Tahitian Culture & History The Power of Mana Tahitians today have inherited a rich, expressive culture from their Ma’ohi ancestors. From the Ma’ohi, came the pulse of Tahitian life, a world where the lives of gods, warriors and men crossed in colorful legends. Where the music and dance and art rose from the wonder of everyday life in the islands and on the sea. Where javelin throwing began as the sport of the gods, kings favored surf riding, and men competed in canoe races and stone lifting as a show of pure strength.
Mana Mana is the root of the duality of life and death, encompassing many traits: both beautiful and frightening, elegant and fierce, humble and majestic. A noble and omnipotent presence which is the essence of the universal power, represented in the elements of the earth and sea. It is emblematic of the cultural and spiritual values of the Ma’ohi, the ancestors of the Polynesian people. It is from Mana that the Polynesians draw their strength, sovereignty, power and influence. It is also the source of their purity of spirit (ma), demonstrated in their respect, compassion, and love for all beings living harmoniously in this Ma’ohi universe.
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Mana also represents a darker side, as life is not complete without death. It can be a force for annihilation and ruin, dangerous and all-consuming. Enigmatic and mysterious, Mana manifests also as wisdom (na/na’a), the ancestral knowledge gained from the inalienable link between man and his environment. It is from Mana that one can find a divine state of grace, to be reborn wiser, purer and more powerful. Mana is the sacred power that embraces The Islands of Tahiti and her people. You can see it, hear it, touch it, and taste it. Come with a purity of spirit, seeking wisdom and harmony, and you will find Mana lives in you.
