Culture & Tradition

The most famous of French Polynesia’s Leeward Islands in the heart of the South Pacific, Bora Bora was formed by a volcanic eruption 4 million years ago. Among the youngest land masses on the planet, it was born from beneath the sea rather than through continental drift. The original Maohi migrants sailed in large “pahi” (outrigger canoes) with neither the North Star to guide them nor a written language to record their voyage. They travelled vast distances – far greater than any Western culture had yet attempted – to colonize the many distant islands of the South Pacific.

Bora Bora’s original settlers arrived in about the fourth century, 13 centuries before European explorers. The island’s name is derived from the ancient Tahitian Pora Pora, which translates to “first born.” When Captain James Cook became the first Western explorer to arrive in 1777, he translated the local language’s soft inflections into the name “Bollabolla,” a misnomer whose use persisted into the 19th century. Bora Bora became a protectorate of France in 1842.

During World War II, the United States used Bora Bora as a military supply base and, after the war, some military personnel were so enamored with the island that they refused to leave. Since the first international resort opened in 1961, Bora Bora has evolved into one of the world’s most popular resort destinations.

Although French is the official language of French Polynesia, Tahitian is still widely spoken and preserved among the locals. With only 16 letters and 1,000 words, the Tahitian language had never been written until the arrival of missionaries in the 1700s. With no silent letters, the language is easier to learn than most. Here are some of the common words and phrases you might hear around the islands. Note that the single quotation mark is a short pause, and “r’s” are rolled. Lifting of the eyebrows can be used as a greeting or in agreement.

• Yes – E (ay)
• No – Aita (eye-tah)
• Hello – Ia Ora na (yo-rah-nah)
• Goodbye – Nana (nah-nah)
• How are you? – Maita’i oe? (may-tay oh-ay)
• I am fine – Maita’i roa (may-tay ro-ah)
• Thank you – Mauru’uru (mah-roo-roo)
• Look – A hi’o (ah hee-oh)
• Come here – Haere mai (ha-ay-ray my)
• Let’s go – Haere tatou (ha-ay-ray tah-taw)
• Take it easy – Haere maru (ha-ay-ray mah-roo)
• To your health/cheers – Manuia (mah-new-yah)
• Welcome – Maeva  (mah-ay-vah)
• No problem – Aita pe'a pe’a (eye-tah pay-ah pay-ah)        
• Enjoy your meal – Tama’a maita'i (tah-mah-ah may-tay)
• What? –Eaha? (ay-ah-hah)
• Why? – No te aha? (noh tay ah-hah)
• I love you – Ua here vau ia oe (oo-ah hay-ray vow ee-ah oh-ay)
• Man – Tane (tah-nay)
• Woman – Vahine (vah-he-nay)
• Children – Tamarii (tah-ma-ree-ee)
• Friend – Hoa (ho-ah)
• Pearl – Poe (po-ay)
• Black pearl – Poerava (po-ay ra-vah)
• Cloth wrap – Pareu (pa-ray-oh)
• Big – Nui (new-ee)
• Small – Iti (ee-tee)
• Polynesian – Ma’ohi (mah-o-hee)
• Island – Motu (mo-too)
• Ocean – Moana (mo-ah-nah)
• Sun – Mahana (ma-ha-nah)
• Food – Ma’a (mah-ah)
• Water – Pape (pa-pay)
• Beer – Pia (pee-ah)
• Happy – Oa’oa (oh-ah oh-ah)