= Ori Tahiti & Polynesia=
pupu ori matamatai
IA ORANA! TALOFA!
Welcome to Pupu Ori Matamatai specializing in perpetuating, preserving, sharing the rich Tahitian and Polynesian cultures and histories. Our dances are rooted in “Ori Tahiti,” more commonly known as Tahitian Dance and “Siva Afi,” or Samoan Dance is part of decades of legacy that stemmed from the love of culture and generations of dance. Today, continuing the legacy is our “Pupu Ori” or Tahitian Dance School’s “Ra’atira,” or Teacher and Creative Director, Uncle Tigilau “Tino” Moe.
Uncle Tino is married to renowned Kumu Hula Kapua Dalire-Moe who is also Kahiau’s hula mentor and teacher. This humble power couple and subject matter experts continue to grow and lead Kahiau in the journey towards authentically perpetuating the Ori Tahiti and Polynesian cultures worldwide through the military community.
Not only is Uncle Tino a phenomenal dancer and leader, he is multi-faceted and a talented musician skilled in Tahitian Drumming as well as Fire Knife dancing. He has led hundreds of dancers to renowned world stages celebrating Ori Tahiti such as the 2009, 2010, 2011, & 2019 Heiva I Honolulu; 2009 Heiva I O’ahu; 2009-2010 Mehetia Heiva in Kane’ohe Hawai’i; 2010 Heiva I Las Vegas; 2019 Heiva I San Diego; and most notably, he has been a judge at Mehetia Heiva from 2011-2012.
Coming from a family of entertainers, Uncle Tino has been dancing since childhood. As the “Ra’atira - teacher” for the group,” he strives to perpetuate the Polynesian cultures, histories, and daily life stories of the “Maohi - indigenous Polynesian people of Tahiti and the Society Islands in French Polynesia” through its dances - storytelling at its finest! His mission is to share his knowledge and wisdom with people in the worldwide stage.
With our Heavenly Father God’s grace and guidance, we have been blessed to train and compete with the best dancers in the world from his entertainment company “Tino’s Production” as well as workshops & competitions on O’ahu, California, Japan, & Tahiti.
Matamatai Japan is led by “Hura Tau - experienced dancer” Edrianne Dianna “Kahiau” ‘Ekekela Flores-Arend who assists Uncle Tino in teaching two forms of Ori Tahiti.
The first type is “The Otea” choreographed around a theme and its lively drums made up of rhythmical motifs called “pehe” supported by the drums or “Pahu” and percussions or “To’ere.”
The second type of is “The Aparima” or the “kiss of the hands” to the sound of guitars and songs gesturing daily life or feelings whose story perpetuates the Polynesian oral tradition similar to Hula ‘Auana.
Throughout the course, you will also learn to communicate in “Reo māo’hi - Tahitian Language” just as it is taught in the majestic island motherland.
Various Polynesian Dances from American Samoa, Tonga, Māori, and Guam will also be taught throughout the course to celebrate the diversity of the beautiful Pacific islands!
