Matavaa o te Henua Enana: The Vibrant Soul of the Marquesas Islands
- loureibel
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
In the heart of the South Pacific, the Marquesas Islands rise as a sanctuary of authenticity and spirituality. Every two years, this remote and majestic archipelago celebrates Matavaa o te Henua Enana, one of the most intense and moving expressions of Polynesian soul. More than just a festival, it is an ode to the roots, ancestors, and artistic resilience of a people who have never stopped singing their history to the wind.
A festival between history and legend
Created in 1987 to revitalize and preserve the cultural identity of the Marquesans, the Marquesas Festival is held every time on a different island of the archipelago: Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou, Hiva Oa... This itinerant nature allows each host community to showcase its hospitality, artistic mastery, and unique relationship with the land and sea. For several days, delegations from all Polynesian islands (including Hawaii, Rapa Nui, or New Zealand) gather in a spirit of fraternity and mutual respect. It is an intercultural meeting where tradition is not just displayed, but truly lived.
Art, dance, and tattoo: the language of ancestors
The Marquesan tattoo, a symbol of identity and status, takes center stage during the festival. Artists and master tattooists share their ancestral art, with geometric forms that evoke genealogies, protective spirits, and ties to nature.
Traditional dances such as the famous haka or te pua (pig dance) electrify the open-air stages. Accompanied by drums and chants, these dances represent mythological scenes, hunting moments, or initiation rituals. Everything is choreographed with emotional power that moves even the most seasoned traveler.
A showcase of handicrafts
Matavaa is also a vibrant showcase of Marquesan craftsmanship, known for its wood and bone sculptures, finely woven baskets, and symbolic jewelry. Workshops, exhibitions, and demonstrations allow the privileged visitor to delve into a universe where every object has a soul, and every gesture tells a story.
Traditional sports and sacred ceremonies
During the festival, attendees can witness, or even participate in, Polynesian sports competitions: javelin throwing, coconut tree climbing, va’a (outrigger canoe) races, fruit bearer races… These physical activities are an integral part of the Marquesan cultural and spiritual heritage.
Additionally, religious rituals and offerings to ancestors are held at the marae (sacred places), restoring the festival’s deeply spiritual dimension.
Why attend Matavaa o te Henua Enana?
For the traveler attuned to art, soul, and authenticity, Matavaa o te Henua Enana offers an exceptional and deeply enriching opportunity. More than just a festival, it is a moment suspended in time, where Polynesian culture is expressed in its purest form, far from conventional tourism and colored by sincere, vibrant emotion.
Held only every two years, this festival becomes an exceptional and exclusive event, a privilege for those seeking an authentic immersion into the deepest roots of the Pacific. Attending the Marquesas Festival means participating in a collective ritual, witnessing a living culture that is transmitted with pride and passion.
Given the growing interest and the limited accommodation capacity on the Marquesas Islands, advance planning is essential. Our travel designers, experts in bespoke experiences, are available to create a personalized itinerary that combines this celebration with moments of intimate discovery, encounters with local artists, and total disconnection in one of the planet’s most majestic environments.
