Sarah+-+CD+-+SP13


 * Name: Omai **
 * Culture: Polynesian Culture **


 * __Other Backround information:__ **
 * Tahiti is the largest most populated island in the French Polynesia in the southern pacific. It is a 404 square mile island. It is known for its lush tropical vegetation and great climate! **


 * __Aspects of Tahitian Culture:__ **


 * __Language:__ **
 * Tahitian is the language spoken in the island of Tahiti. Tahitian is an indigenous language that is mostly spoken in the Society Islands in French Polynesia. This language is closely related to Rarotongan, Mäori, Hawaiian, and New Zealand languages. Tahitian was first transcribed in the early 19th century from the spoken language into writing by the missionaries of the London Missionary Society. **


 * __Beliefs:__ **
 * Tahiti/ Maohi religious beliefs include a ranking of gods. It starts with one supreme god and passes down to less powerful gods. There are two kinds of priest in Tahiti. There is the kind that conducts formal rituals and there is a kind of priest that is called an inspirational priest that give oracular advice. Many priest were believed to have sorcery powers. Some ceremonies are seasonal affairs and are carried out in marae. (A courtyard.) Other ceremonies pertain to war and peace. Untimely, when someone died it was believed to be because of ones god being angry, then it was believed to just be a natural cause. The length of mourning time for someone would matter on their rank. In Tahitian culture they love to dance. Dance is a way of preserving memories of the past for them. **


 * __Behaviors:__ **
 * In the Tahitian culture they love to be welcoming towards everyone. For example they greet all their visitors with leis for them to wear. Also, now a days they make their houses to be square white and bland. Since the 1980’s tattooing had become vibrant in their culture. Men and women have many tattoos as symbols of their identity. Tahitian people enjoy eating. Modern Tahitian food may include Chinese, French, and Polynesian dishes. They mostly eat a lot of seafood due to their resources. Traditionally a Tahitian dish does not include dessert. If there is something sweet to eat it is usually served along side the main dish. If there is a Tahitian celebration going on whether it be for birthdays, a wedding, or for anything, there is a great amount of food that will be served there. They express their anger through gossip and by joking! **


 * __Values:__ **
 * Tahitian people value their traditions and ancestors. They also value their religion which involves believing in many gods. **


 * Tahitian people experience very little problems and violence issues. **


 * Sources: **


 * Book: **
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Brash, Celeste. "Tahiti and French Polynesia." Google Books. N.p., 1 May 2009. Web. 29 Jan. 2013.__ **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Other: **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Tahiti, United States of America." Tahiti. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Foster, Niki, and Bronwyn Harris. WiseGeek. Conjecture, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Countries and Their Cultures." Religion and Expressive Culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Tahitian Language." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 27 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Tahitians." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Jan. 2013. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 16px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">"Tahiti History and Culture." Tahiti History & Tahitian Culture from Tahiti Tourism North America. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2013. **