Saving the Tahitian language

  • 09/10/2016
Saving the Tahitian language

To the people of Tahiti, Teuai Lenoir is a modern-day super hero, fighting to retain his beloved Tahitian culture.

Today just 24 percent speak Tahitian and its dialects. Despite not being brought up in Te Reo Ma'ohi, Mr Lenoir has dedicated his life to restoring his nation's native tongue to the level it was prior to Tahiti becoming a French territory.

The famous Ori Tahiti or Tahitian dance is a vehicle to reclaiming the culture and the language says Mr Lenoir, who takes all his practices for his group called O Tahiti e in the Ma'ohi language.

He is part of an independence movement, hoping to reclaim Tahiti from French rule. He says despite some locals fearing that independence will turn them into a third world country, he believes by going back to the ways of his ancestors, Tahiti will stand strong and proud. 

Watch the video for the full story from The Hui.