The reawakening of the Marquesan people
Mata’vaa Iti, the Mini Festival of the Marquesas Islands, is held every 4 years, alternating with Mata’vaa, the main arts festival of the Marquesas Islands. The first edition of the Mini Festival was held in 2006 on Tahuata. Now, 11 years later, from 18 to 22 December 2017, the smallest inhabited island of the Marquesas will be once again be seething with excitement! Dances, traditional games, exhibitions, contests, etc. 600 members of various delegations, along with the public, are expected at the end of this year. While the Big Festival has gradually opened up to the other Polynesian archipelagoes, with groups coming from Hawaii, the Samoas, New Zealand, Tahiti, Easter Island, and elsewhere, the Mini Festival features only groups from the Marquesas Islands, with the goal to maintain the Marquesan culture alive around a common theme which, for 2017, is:
« Let us make what we planted bear fruit ».
Interested in the event?
Stay on Hiva Oa… there will be daily boat shuttles available to Tahuata. The family pensions Relais Moehau, Temetiu Village, and Kanahau still have rooms and bungalows available for these dates. Hotel Hanakee Pearl Lodge is offering a full-comfort 4-night package including accommodation, airport transfers, round trip boat transfers to Tahuata, daily access to the Mini Festival sites, full board, and drinks during meals.
The local airline, Air Tahiti, is featuring 2 additional flights on 20 and 22 December 2017 and the mixed cargo vessel Aranui has planned a special Festival cruise 14-27 December 2017, with a full day stopover on the island of Tahuata.
The detailed Festival program is presently being finalized by the organizing committee, and should be available soon. For those who cannot make it this year, see you at the Big Festival on Ua Pou in 2019!