1 - Introduction
Tahiti, Otahiti for
the first Europeans, the “Island of Love”, the “New
Cyther” for Bougainville, the myth of paradise, of
Rousseau’s “good savage”, all those names to describe the
same beauty of this island, symbol just by itself of the
entire French Polynesia.
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Two
volcanos emerged from the waters compose the island of Tahiti
: 3-million year old for the Tahiti Nui (the Big Tahiti) volcano,
and only 500,000 years for the one of Tahiti Iti (the Little
Tahiti) also called the Peninsula (Presqu’ile). Those
two extinct volcanoes are joined together by the Taravao isthmus.
Not only one of the most recent island of Polynesia, Tahiti is
also the largest (1,045 square kilometres) and the most
populated (150,371 persons).
Beware ! Expected white sand beaches bordered by
coconut trees and overwater bungalows will be encountered at Bora
Bora or in the Tuamotu islands
rather than Tahiti. However, Tahiti is full of pleasant surprises for
those taking the time to observe it and to discover its secrets…
Circle shape, Tahiti is entirely surrounded by a
lagoon except for a north coast part going from Mahina to Tiarei.
Its reef barrier is cut by 33 passes, the one of Papeete
being the largest. From the Taharaa viewpoint (Mahina),
you will overhang the Matavai Bay where the first explorers
anchored more than 250 years ago.
Tahiti Nui is dominated by abrupt mountains
like Mount Orohena (2,241 m), famous Mount Aorai (2,066m) and
Diadem (1,321 m) – names given by Dumont D’Urville – and Mount
Marau (1,493 m) cut by deep inhabited and luxuriant valleys. Those
valleys - described by French writer Loti - feature numerous waterfalls
pouring into refreshing basins which will be highly appreciated
by curious visitors. Tahiti also conceal many archaeological sites
and mysterious caves.
Tahiti Iti is dominated by Mount Ronui (1,332
m) and Mount Meirenui (1,306 m). Surrounded by a coral reef and
a lagoon with white sand beaches, Tahiti Iti is bordered by the
“Te Pari” vertical cliffs which are accessible only by boat or
by foot (with a guide !) and it offers many treasures such as
the "Devil Pass”, the “Giant Umete of Taapeha”,
caves, petroglyphs, archaeological sites full of legends, hollow
rocks called the “Honoura Drums” … all this taking you
over to some enchanting spots at the edge of the world.
Tahiti offers splendid diving
excursions, especially in Tahiti Iti, and spectacular basalt
black sand beaches around Papara and on the east coast, both spots
being suitable for surfing.
At Tahiti It, you will also discover the refreshing
Plateau of Taravao dedicated to cow breeding and agriculture,
with its strange landscapes for a tropical zone. A splendid
view over the Taravao isthmus and the two Tahiti Nui volcanoes
awaits for you there.
But
Tahiti is also the economic heart of French Polynesia.
Papeete, its capital, is built
along a friendly waterfront (recently renovated) welcoming many
shops and luxury ships. It is the unique city at 4,000 kilometres
around (!!) and one will find here everything he needs, market
(a must), jewellers, bars, nightclubs,
restaurants (French,
Chinese, Italian...), hospitals…
2 - Brief history
Tahiti was not the first island to be settled by
Polynesians. According to the legend, it would have been populated
around 850 AD by people coming from Raiatea,
the “Sacred Island”, cradle of the Polynesian civilization.
The supremacy of Tahiti over the other islands came
with the first Europeans’ arrival. At that time, the island was
divided into 6 large districts ruled by chiefs (ari’i).
The Pomare dynasty is issued from the district of “Te Porionuu”
(Pare, Arue) and it imposed itself thanks to the assistance of
the navigators remaining in Matavai Bay.
On June 17, 1767, English captain Wallis
aboard the “Dolphin” ship was the first European to visit Tahiti.
He baptized it “King George Island”. The first contacts with the
local population were stormy and required Wallis to make use of
his cannons. That date changed forever the social balance existing
between the 6 ruling clans and it was the beginning of a violent
fight cycle that ended only 50 years later in 1815.
One year later (1768), Bougainville
also annexed Tahiti, this time for French king Louis XVI. Then
came Captain Cook whose precious written testimonials largely
contributed to Polynesian culture learning. (see
more about navigators)
All those navigators were quickly followed by English
missioners of the London Missionary Society (LMS). They
first came in 1797 but were first forced back after they tried
unsuccessfully for many years to implement Christianity.
In 1815, King Pomare II definitely came to
the throne after winning the battle of Narii (from a Punaauia
temple holding the same name) or Fei Pi (the Green bananas),
thanks to the help of Leeward islands warriors. This last battle
was the end of the ancient Polynesian aristocracies ruled by the
ari’i and is synonymous to the defeat of paganism versus
Christianity. Moreover, the pre-eminence of Tahitian kings who
were already dominating the Tuamotu islands was slowly accepted
by a growing number of islands like Tubuai and Rimatara.
Following Pomare II request, a 19-law code baptized
“Pomare Code” was established and approved in 1819. It was
inspired by puritan concepts of the English missioners and tried
to put an end to old customs such as human sacrifice, infanticide
and licentious behaviours.
In the middle of the 19th century, Moerenhout,
American then French Consul, first asked Queen Victoria to take
control over the island in order to maintain order but she refused.
So he asked the French …
On September 9, 1842, a convention establishing
a French Protectorate is signed between Queen Pomare
IV, the regent Paraita and French admiral Dupetit-Thouars.
But this status became effective only 5 years later in 1847. Indeed
in 1843, Pomare IV who was under the influence of Pritchard, English
Consul, denounced the treaty.
On November 1, 1843, Dupetit-Thouars reacted : the queen was overthrown,
the annexation of Tahiti was proclaimed and French troops invaded
the island. The franco-tahitian war began at Taravao on March
21, 1844 and ended on December 18, 1846.
On June 29, 1880, King Pomare V gave definitely
all his territories to France. The French protectorate became
the Etablissements Français d’Oceanie (E.F.O.) – French
Establishments of Oceania – with its capital Papeete. The transfer
to France of the Tahitian kingdom (Society Islands, Tubuai Islands
and the Tuamotu) was ratified by the Law of December 30, 1880
that gave the French citizenship to all King Pomare subjects.
The Law of July 26, 1956, transformed the E.F.O.
into French Polynesia, giving a more effective autonomy to the
territory.
Tahiti has been most concerned by economic and social
developments of the 60’s (construction of Faa'a International
Airport, development of the Papeete harbour, evolution of the
urban landscape). This development generated strong migrations
towards Tahiti that gathers today 70% of the total population
of French Polynesia.
Although the government is trying to inverse that
trend by focusing on the development of activities in other islands,
Tahiti remains today the economic, political, administrative,
social and cultural center of French Polynesia.
Source :
- History of Tahiti, by Ph. Rey Lescure
- Le mariage franco-tahitien, by Pierre-YvesTOULLELAN &
Bernard GILLE
- Presidency website ( www.presidence.pf
)
