Now I need explanation 😭 why she didn't place and I did better than most of them :/ I know there was no chance for her to beat natalia but at least 2nd (I actually love the Top 3 I had natalia and onaku and I feel like aurelie did great in the end) but this one tho it hurts 😢.... like kauehi back in 2018

Man, she was awesome

@@terinaser4342 I agree! I even told Kauehi she should have won, and I know many agrees, even my teacher and Tahitians say the same. Politics. Kitana should at least get 3rd. A certain someone once told me that often it's between the quality of the Fa'arapu if nothing else is lacking.

Heiva is very strict on rules. There are certain steps they have to do, and do flawless to score high. But sometimes politics triumph technique, looks etc. as there has been dancers that where lacking, which won over those who where technically superior, and should have placed 1st. Besides the technical part there's stamina, gracefulness charisma on stage, and the feelings the dancer convey during the performance, and of course how well rounded the dancer is. Historically there's even been rules on the appearance and looks the dancer should have. Big hair, not too dark, fit etc. In Tahiti everything is choreographed and based on a theme. Hence the costume, the colors, and of course the choreography, and the most essential, the drumming, being a cultural dance. Hura Tapairu is the modern counterpart, where they can basically do whatever they want, but in a smaller format of max 20 dancers on stage. At the Heiva, the more the better. Most people who watches the Heiva are natives, and fellow Ori Tahiti dancers who already know the requirements and what the judges are looking for, as well as the rules. Of course to an untrained eye anyone can look fantastic, if you don't know what to look for. This dancer is beautiful, and very good, yet probably top 3, but not the winner (in my opinion), if compared to certain other contestants if you look at the details and technique. They practice for months to dance for one night... this is the biggest cultural event of the year.

@@kilipaki87oritahiti Thank you for your response. One of the reasons I inquired about judging requirements is fornthe exact reason you mentioned. To the uninitiated, everything looks great or mediocre, depending on their personal perspective. I applaud these young ladies and young gentlemen for their work, the hours of practice and sacrifice for these performances. They have all done very well. If for no other reason than to keep this part of the culture alive and on display. Thank you to you all.

@@wintermagebarthow8481 Exactly well said🥰🥰🥰

@@wintermagebarthow8481 It varies from year to year, of course not been able to celebrate Heiva for the past 2-3 years is one thing. But it’s especially when there are many strong contenders for the Best Female/Male Dancer title. If too similar of a level, it can come down to how good their Fa’arapu is, if they have the looks, skills, and choreography as well as theme, and costume. Sometimes it’s very obvious, sometimes even the obvious didn’t even place let one win, but those moments are few, luckily. I 1st Rooted for Onaku, until I saw Natalia Louvat’s solo, as she’s stronger and technically better, if though they have both danced and been with the same group/dance school for years. Of course Natalia is also younger than Onaku, and Onaku has already competed once back in 2017, and didn’t win as well as recently becoming a mom 5-6 months ago, which is a huge celebration and feat in it self. It’s not common people compete more than once for the title of they don’t succeed the 1st time. Also most dancers that has won was young at the time. A dancer is at his/hers peak from late teens to mid, maybe late 20’s. After 30, you’re old. I should know. Happened to me, and I’m soon 35, and started as late as 21, and quit officially 3 months ago due to injuries, age, and obesity. Most common injury if any if danced for many years is knee pain. But if you take care of your self, your body and overall health when you dance, you won’t have any issues. The dance was banned by a Tahitian king under the pressure of missionaries due to colonialism and religious brainwash. It was for forbidden for 3 generations I believe before revived back in the 60’s or 70’s (don’t quote me on that). In pre colonial times only men where allowed to dance, except this now extinct dance form where both men and women danced together. Except from the Arioi cult, a social class of artists who used to dance at public aka religious ceremonies/events. And before the chief in private where he chose one to sleep with. Later after it’s revival mostly only old people and kids danced. But modern groups like famous Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti made it popular among younger people by setting many of the esthetics we see as the norm today. Also the dance it self has evolved a lot, and still does. What was once seen as modern is now “traditional”. Heiva is seen as traditional in that there’s a ton of rules and you can’t do whatever in terms of style. The dance got more structured and steps was given names. And the biggest difference is that now the dance is for the people, “celebrating life”.

@@kilipaki87oritahiti Thanks again for the bounty of information. Maybe your next career is as a tour guide or docent