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The festival is marked by flamboyant dresses, swaying hips, and acrobatic dances. Maidens adorned in bird feathers, garlands, flowers and men flaunting ancient Polynesian skills and feats of strength are themselves the highlight of the festivities.
Starting at the end of June and stretching into most of July, the Heiva festival marks a month-long of fun and festivities. It is also the time to witness the very best in traditional Tahitian culture. Groups from the five widely dispersed archipelagos of French Polynesia - the Marquesas, the Tuamotus, the Australs, the Gambier Islands, and the other Society Islands - congregate to celebrate and show off their traditional skills.
Join in the dance to the pounding drumbeat or sing amid the Tahitian dance troupe in full cry on an open amphitheatre. Or witness ancient warriors in a palm tree climbing contest or lifting up to 300 pounds of stones. All these elaborate displays of culture are highlighted by young maidens and warriors dressed in traditional tribal garments.
For a less adventurous heart, the Heiva also features distinctive arts and crafts from each of French Polynesia's five archipelagos. Here is where local artisans boast the best of their traditions passed on from one generation to the next. Hand-sewn quilts, or 'tifaifai', marked by floral designs unique to each maker. Carving in wood, bone, stone and mother-of-pearl. Tattooing. Stone sculpting. The making of ornaments from pandanus, pearl shell, and coral.
Accor's six exclusive resorts in French Polynesia offer the perfect base from which to enjoy the festivities. Choose from Sofitel Tahiti Resort, Sofitel Moorea, Sofitel Bora Bora Resort, Sofitel Motu Bora Bora a private island paradise, Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort and Novotel Rangiroa Lagoon Resort. All resorts offer outstanding natural beauty, sparkling turquoise waters, and all the romance of the South Seas to travelers, divers and honeymooners in search of the ultimate paradise island experience.
Bring your coconuts. Drape yourself in pareo wraparounds. And delve right in for the fun of your life.
About Accor French Polynesia
Accor, the world's largest hotel and tourism group, operates six exclusive French Polynesian resorts. Sofitel Tahiti Resort offers the elegance of a bygone era framed by Tahiti's natural beauty. By a spectacular lagoon, Sofitel Moorea Beach Resort boasts sparkling waters and a white sand beach. Elegantly refurbished, Sofitel Bora Bora Resort was built to house a Hollywood movie. Sofitel Motu Bora Bora, an exquisite private island paradise, combines outstanding natural beauty and 5 star luxury. Novotel Bora Bora Beach Resort is a few steps from one of the world's
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Accorhotels, online hotel reservation from economy to luxury hotels worldwide, for leisure and business travel.
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