Maohi

In Tahiti and adjacent islands, the term Maohi (Mā’ohi in Tahitian language) refers to the ancestors of the Polynesian peoples.

It wasn't until the 1950s that the reconstruction of these traditions began, due to an overall lack of knowledge about Tahitian culture.

[3] Traditional dance was one piece of the Ma'ohi culture that was lost due to colonization by the French.

Historical reenactments of the dances, the costumes and the chants had to be reconstructed due to their being no feasible way of knowing what the authentic creations were to begin with.

Those that are young and involved in other aspects of Tahitian culture such as dance are the majority of people that have tattoos.