Culture of the Cook Islands
Portuguese captain Pedro Fernandes de Queirós made the first recorded European landing in the islands in the early 17th century, and well over a hundred years later, in the 18th century, the British navigator, Captain James Cook arrived, giving the islands their current name.
Missionaries developed a written language, bringing schools and Christianity to the Cook Islands in the early 19th century.
One of the popular traditional dances of the Cook Islands is the ura, a sacred ritual usually performed by a female who moves her body to tell a story, accompanied by intense drumming by at least five drummers.
[4] The chief's control, which could neither be gained or lost, was established by his mana (power), which derived from his birth, achievements and status.
Prominent figures include Avatea, Ina, Marama, Nganaoa, Papa, Rongo, Tangaroa, Vaitakere, Varima te takere, and Vatea.
Tales of the supernatural and spirits is common practice in the islands by people of all generations and are used to explain many of the more unusual events.
Williams encountered difficulty in converting the population on Rarotonga whose tribes were divided under ariki (chiefs) and ta'unga (priests).
Takamoa Theological College, founded by Aaron Buzacott, trains pastors for the Cook Islands Christian Church, which is the nation's largest religious denomination.
Dreamed or created, name change are not limited to events, such as birth, marriage, and death, but can also occur in association with a bad omen.
Tuepokoina Utanga Morgan is credited with writing musical compositions and poetry and producing folk opera.
Composer and poet Teate Makirere, who toured as communications adviser of the Pacific Conference of Churches, has been commended for his secular writings.
There is also a number of popular songs and dramas of unknown artists, presented on television and radio, which are available on cassettes and CDs.
[17] Men perform the hura, which is the equivalent of the Hawaiian hula, locking their feet on the ground and keeping their shoulders steady.
[19] One of the popular traditional dances of the Cook Islands is the Maori Ura, a sacred ritual usually performed by a female who moves her body to tell a story, accompanied by intense drumming by at least 5 drummers.
Moving the hips, legs and hands give off different gestures to the audience to tell a tale, typically related to the natural landscape such as the ocean and birds and flowers, but also feelings of love and sadness.
[22] To perform the ura, women typically wear a pareu and a kikau (grass) skirt, with flowers and shell headbands and necklaces known as ei.
[22] Men during the dance are said to "vigorously flap their knees in a semi-crouched position while holding their upper bodies steady", and they typically wear kikau skirts and headbands.
[17] Landscape artist Judith Kunzle sells her drawings and paintings in her home studio and several of the crafts stores, several of which have featured in numerous publications and postcards of the islands.
[17] Mahiriki Tangaroa produced a series of paintings depicting pre-Christianity gods of the Cook Islands titled Kaveinga – Angels of the Ocean, presented by Bergman Gallery in Venice, Italy as part of European Cultural Centre: Personal Structures in 2022 coinciding Venice Biennale.
While most food is imported from New Zealand, there are several Growers' Associations, such as Mangaian, Ngatangiia, Penrhyn, Puaikura, and Rakahanga, which contribute produce for local cuisine.
[33] Typical local cuisine includes arrowroot, clams, octopus, and taro, and seasonings such as fresh ginger, lime, lemon, basil, garlic and coconut.
[45] Cultural events are coordinated by the Cook Islands National Arts Council, which was established in 1985 by an Act of Parliament.
