Description
Umu ti, a spectacular ancestral tradition.
The umu tī (firewalk), born in the mists of time, traditionally opens the Heiva i Tahiti festivities at Punaauia's Mahana Park. The ancient Polynesians built up food reserves to protect themselves from famine. A tahu'a, or high priest, would step on the hot stones of the large oven prepared for cooking tubers. If he didn't burn his feet, the food would be preserved under divine protection. Today, this ancient ceremony allows walkers to purify their souls and bodies. Tahu'a Raymond Teriirooiterai GRAFFE is the uncontested master of this ceremony, which is based on the ancestral lunar calendar. Beforehand, he selects the basalt stones and their incandescent elements, which he gathers in a large pit.
Two days are needed to bring the furnace to its optimum temperature. After fasting and long meditation, and once the incantations have become favourable, the tahu'a opens the oven to the delight of his spectators and adepts.
Tickets are available from Nini at Mahana Parc. (87 78 54 75)
