Music of Tahiti

Prior to the arrival of Europeans, the music of Tahiti was dominated by festivals called heiva.

Examples include the men's ʻōteʻa dance and the couple's 'upaʻupa.

In the early 19th century, however, colonial laws severely restricted these and other dances, which were considered immoral.

[1] Likewise, the harmonies and tune characteristics / 'strophe patterns' of much of the music of Polynesia is western in style and derived originally from missionary influence via hymns and other church music.

Traditional instruments include a conch-shell called the pu and a nose flute called the vivo, as well as numerous kinds of drums made from hollowed-out tree trunks and dog or shark skin.