Exploring Tahiti: Visiting the sacred religious sites (Marae)

Tahiti, Pacific Ocean - tour of ancient religious sites (Marae) in Tahiti, French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean. Let's visit 3 ancient religious sacred sites (marae) in the beautiful island of Tahiti in the Pacific Ocean. A marae, malaʻe, meʻae or malae in Tahiti is a communal or sacred place that serves religious and social purposes in Tahiti. The marae are part of the great enigmas of the South Pacific and especially of tahiti. The marae were places of sacred worship and open-air temples of ancient pagan rituals. Today, in Tahiti, the “marae” fascinate, attract and at the same time, get us a bit worried and confused…
Here, I have selected 3 sites that are very different from each other and we will learn a lot of facts about their construction, function, etc.
Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the South Pacific archipelago. Shaped like a figure-8, it's divided into Tahiti Nui (the larger, western section) and Tahiti Iti (the eastern peninsula). With black-sand beaches, lagoons, waterfalls and 2 extinct volcanoes, it's a popular vacation destination. Explored by Captain James Cook in the 18th century, it was also often painted by French artist Paul Gauguin.
#Tahiti #FrenchPolynesia #VicStefanu #travel #vacation #adventure #bucketlist #traveling #explore #nature #traveltips #beach #trending #destination #holiday #world #holidays #tour #Cruise #trip #weekend #expedition #hiking #journey #trip #flight #tourist #tourism #booking #tickets #airlines #cheap #best #wanderlust #sightseeing #culture #trending #travellife #travelmemories #summer #travelblogger #naturevibes #travelingtheworld #travelingfamily #travelingalone #London #market #museum #island #travelling #travelgram #travelfamily #traveldiaries #travelling

[@pererikahekiheki5374]

Hi Vic. I just found out that our ancestors left Papara from Tahiti about 1250 - 1350 AD to New Zealand on the Mata-atua waka (ocean vessel) so I viewed your video for information about the island and really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful place. And yes, we have hundreds of maraes here too, named after important ancestors where the tribes often gather for meetings and other activities. Thanks for sharing it.

[@VicStefanu]

Hi Peperika, thank you for this very interesting information and for viewing my videos!!

[@originalclaymoreboy728]

The Maori come from all islands in eastern Polynesia not just Tahiti.

[@DennyPalu]

@@originalclaymoreboy728 true some noted traced far back to Tonga and Samoa to Hawaii later on to Easter island NZ was settled later creating the Polynesian triangle ❤️

[@dennyamohanga3405]

As a Māori Polynesian im saddened to see the disrespect these sacred places are given. 😢 Thank you for sharing this Vic , great video

[@VicStefanu]

I agree with you ....

[@FairyFrequencyASMR]

These ancient ruins are quite fascinating! Thank you for this educational and informative tour ♡

[@VicStefanu]

Glad you enjoyed this video!

[@LL-sq8se]

So interesting and educational... thank you very much for all the great documentary's!

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you!!

[@JamesScott-sd3oj]

Wow I stayed down the road here in paea with a beautiful and such a beautiful place Tahiti is.

[@suneelgaur5246]

Hi Vic...This is a very interesting and informative video...I have learnt a lot👍 Are these Marae structures UNESCO Heritage sites?

[@VicStefanu]

Not these ones here..

[@Henryk516]

Hello Vic and thank you for sharing the Tahiti sights. Take good care. Just out of curiosity, how many kinds of immunizations did you have to undergo to stay safe during your travels? I don't mind an approximate number.

[@VicStefanu]

+Henryk Zaleski Actually, none... I have had all the immunizations in the past few years however...

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

+Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures Naively I say, Vic, that your travels throughout the South Pacific never have led me to believe immunizations of any sort are necessary. For the most part, if not all, you appear to be traveling throughout environments seemingly healthful from my living room television view.

[@VicStefanu]

+Jay Young Hi Jay... I was speaking to a friend yesterday and I said to her that I have never felt healthier in my life... maybe because the climate in the Pacific is always warm, the breathing air is clean, no stress from having to go to work (after a 90 minute commute) each morning, etc... I highly recommend that at least once in your life, you take time off and cross the Pacific, it is not just a tremendous educational experience but a great benefit to your health as well...

[@tupelangi1788]

Thanks for the ifo Vic.......amazing video again and very important. Much love from Tonga cheers...

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for your comments!!

[@steveboy7302]

tongans and samoans love to mention there countries even though it has nothing to do with there countries for some reason

[@ImBossy19]

@@steveboy7302 because that's where Polynesian first started, show respect to the god island

[@steveboy7302]

@@ImBossy19 aint nobody but your own think that most of the world has never heard of your islands

[@Sideeyezz]

​@@steveboy7302🤣speaking of the one that got colonised

[@Wankshaft]

Extremely interesting.

[@VicStefanu]

+TutsiSlayer69 Thank you for viewing my videos, please do not forget to subscribe to my channel!!

[@horstschacht7521]

Ia Ora na Vic Stefanu, I couldn't help but feel frustrated as you were seeing the last marae. Being a Tahitian myself, it hurts my Polynesian heart when I see that kind of footage. Fortunately, the government have started to renovate that marae just so you know and I guess that if you ever have the chance to come back you won't recognize that last mara'e!

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for your comments! I hope to go back in 2021 and to re-videotape all these magnificent sites with my new camera..

[@horstschacht7521]

@@Manoatevarua You misunderstood, the last marae in the video. My bad for not making it clearer.

[@horstschacht7521]

@@VicStefanu fingers crossed for you!

[@cindywolf7]

The pile of stones around the tree is a mandala garden.

[@ginaedmonds]

Temples made out of rock sturdy, made out of sand, one huff and puff, the house will fall down, but merci vic for the love for our people. Don't be disappointed, one day it returns to normality, spirituality and equality!

[@VicStefanu]

Hi Gina, thank you for your comments!

[@ccaammiinniiito2]

@VicStefanu...Stopping the video at 4::12 to comment on the question of a religious "representative." Well, well, Vic. So the early Christians aren't the only ones to have a "vicar" on earth! Which brings me to this. We don't believe we are. But somehow there seems to me -- and your marvelous videos are bringing home a point I've always held -- that we, meaning humankind, of course, are more similar than we care to believe. It's the advances in Western technology and gargantuan wealth that lead many to believe otherwise? What say you, Mr. Stefanu?

[@valeeshahamiora306]

Ariki

[@oliwiereb]

Great

[@VicStefanu]

+Oliwier EB Thank you!!

[@JamesScott-sd3oj]

Just thought let you know Vic, I don't know if you know this or not?.But I'm not sure if you looked on the hills just and the beginning of the mountains there s gaps in the ridges and in those slots are coffins were some chiefs were buried so they can have a view over looking to the ocean. I was explained this by beautiful Tahitian family I was staying with close by in paea.

[@DennyPalu]

vic thank u for the video just to let you know that Tahiti was under the Tongan empire ❤️!! it is possible that it was built by the same people with the same idea

[@VicStefanu]

I have not heard that the Tongan empire had reached all the way to Tahiti.. possible though.. I did not see any similar sacred sites (such as the ones in Tahiti) anywhere in Tonga, have you?

[@DennyPalu]

@@VicStefanu oh good you asked Vic yes indeed the Tongan empire reached the Marquases and Tahiti it is well documented even Tahiti local people itself knows about it

[@VicStefanu]

@@DennyPalu Very interesting, thank you for these comments!! 😊😊😊

[@empeptumackobi]

I’ve never heard of the Tongans reaching Tahiti very interesting thanks

[@DennyPalu]

@@empeptumackobi marquesses are said to be settled by tongan period nd the ancient crown Palaatavake of tui Tonga was gifted from Tahiti thanks learn your history

[@georgegrant4659]

Isn't that trail going up to that huge hillside of rock where they were getting the stones from to build and made a path whilst doing this?

[@VicStefanu]

Quite probably yes... Thank you for viewing my videos!

[@RichardsWorld]

That shows how well their government is run.

[@VicStefanu]

+Richard's World Hello, thank you for your comments and for watching my videos!!

[@judithkusel4515]

Looks just like in Mauritius.

[@VicStefanu]

Hello, thank you for your comments!! 👍👍👍

[@Raabgab]

what about the plants around ...how do they belong to the holy place? what about the tatoos. ..what relation does they have to the maraes?

[@VicStefanu]

Thank you for viewing my videos!! The plants were tropical and most likely have changed since the creation of this sacred site.. I am not really sure what you been about the tatoos..

[@Raabgab]

...iorana. ..I thought the tatoos on the islands were holy?

[@Очкарик-ф7б]

Очевидно что эти камушки застилизованы под метеориты! Ну а форма Таити, повидимому подсказывает как можно путешествовать в космосе. Физикам подсказка с неба свалилас:Ь

[@VicStefanu]

+Очкарик Q Hello, thank you for your comments and for watching my videos!!

[@manudauphin175]

Why are the maraes made out of lava stones?

[@VicStefanu]

All these islands are volcanic in nature and lava rocks are the only building materials on them..

[@manudauphin175]

+Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures Thank you for your prompt and relevant reply!

[@ma-gt7ky]

How do you know this wasn't already there before the Tahitians arrived there? How do we know another sea faring race built this? And that the Tahitians today are just the offspring of those, who came and took the land from its original inhabitants?

[@Brandon-rq6jg]

Because there's no evidence to suggest that what so ever. Nor is there any traditions or stories from the native people to suggest that. Ma'ohi/Maori/Maoli are the indigenous people to this place, first people to settle and populate these islands that we know as Polynesia today.

[@stevensigl]

The absence of evidence is not the evidence of absence. We need the measurements of these archeological sites in order to relate there significance to the stars and other archeological sites around the world.

[@valeeshahamiora306]

@Madra Teariki & @@Brandon-rq6jg We do not beleive that Maori are indigenous (first people) to Tahiti . In fact it is the opposite, in that Maori indigenous to Aotearoa/New Zealand descend from Ancestors from islands of Tahiti & Polynesia especially Raiatea & Tahaa. Toi Ariki, Toto, Apaarangi who married Kupe & Rongorongo who married Turi from Raiatea & Uenuku Ariki from Tahaa, who was later allowed to take care of Raiatea after Kupe took Toi Ariki to Te Ika a Maui now known as Aotearoa/New Zealand.

[@Brandon-rq6jg]

@@valeeshahamiora306 Maori and Ma'ohi are variations of the same word and both mean indigenous. So yes Maori in Aotearoa came from these islands. But the people in those islands are called Ma'ohi. One in the same people. Cook Islanders call themselves Maori too, as do Hawaiians call themselves Maoli. That's what I was referring too.

[@lonelyscout7453]

Madra Teariki CheeeeeeeeeeHoooooooooooooo..!!