Tahitian ʻori
15 schools across Canada
ʻOri Tahiti is the dance of Tahiti and the Society Islands, in French Polynesia. The name means simply "Tahitian dance": ʻori for dance, tahiti for Tahitian.
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France added ʻOri Tahiti to its national inventory of intangible cultural heritage in 2017, and on the islands it is taught and safeguarded by the Conservatoire artistique de la Polynésie française.
The form most newcomers picture is the ʻōteʻa. It is fast, precise and built around the hips, danced by men, women or mixed groups, though it began as a men's dance with warrior roots. The ʻōteʻa is danced to percussion alone, with no singing. The drums include the tōʻere, a hollow log with a lengthwise slit struck with sticks, along with the tall pahu and the smaller faʻatete. The drummers set the tempo, and the dancers answer it with their feet and hips.
Its counterpart is the ʻaparima, where the hands do the talking. The name comes from ʻapa, to mime, and rima, hands, and each gesture stands for a word in the song. In its sung form, the ʻaparima hīmene, voices carry the story over string instruments, usually the guitar and the ukulele, at a gentler pace than the ʻōteʻa. Learners meet other forms too, such as the circling hivināu and pāʻōʻā, but most classes begin with the ʻōteʻa and the ʻaparima.
If you already dance hula, ʻOri Tahiti is a separate tradition, from a different culture and language, and the two are easy to confuse. The clearest difference for a newcomer is one of emphasis: hula tends to carry its story in the hands and a flowing line, while the Tahitian forms are built around the hips, and the ʻōteʻa in particular moves fast to drums alone. Plenty of dancers study both.
ʻOri Tahiti is also a reclaimed tradition: dance was banned in Tahiti in the 1840s under Queen Pōmare, and the twentieth-century revival, often credited to Madeleine Mouʻa's troupe in the 1950s, brought it back.
The schools and their teachers listed below offer ʻOri Tahiti here in Canada; reach out to one near you to find a class or a performance.
"To begin to breathe aloha" — non-profit society established 2019, teaching hula kahiko, ʻauana and ʻori Tahiti at Blue Quill Community Hall in south Edmonton, with an annual Hōʻike.
Hawaiian hula performances in Toronto, Ontario, and online hula instruction.
Greater Toronto's first ʻOri Tahiti (Tahitian dance) school, teaching traditional Tahitian dance through classes and workshops.
Founded in 1982 by Kumu Hula Mela-Lilia Uriarte — over 200 dancers across the GTA, with classes in Markham and Mississauga (ages 3+) and decades of festival performances worldwide.
Mississauga Polynesian dance school teaching hula and ʻori Tahiti, presenting an annual Hōʻike at the Maja Prentice Theatre.
Founded 1978 in Toronto — Hawaiian hula, Tahitian and Filipino dance for all ages, with a 48th Annual Hawaiian Night held in 2026. A multi-generational community spanning beginners to experienced performers.
Hawaiian hula school in Maple Ridge, BC under the Spirit of the Pacific Cultural Society, a non-profit preserving Hawaiian and Polynesian cultural heritage. Teaches Hawaiian hula and, through its sister school Te Varua O Moana Nui A Hiva, Tahitian dance, with an annual Hōʻike.
Langley, BC Polynesian dance — hula kahiko and ʻauana, Tahitian and Māori — founded by Susan Hill Madec in 2000. Now performing as Paradise Found Polynesian Entertainers (2024), with classes for all ages and levels.
Aldergrove, BC Polynesian dance studio, also known as Carol's Polynesian Dance Studio — Hawaiian hula and Polynesian dance for all ages.
Canada's first authentic premier Polynesian dance company, established 1971. Kumu Hula Paul Tavai-Latta holds Canada's only Master's degree as Kumu Hula/Raʻatira (Instructor/Director). Classes for all ages across four BC locations plus online, with 55 years of instruction and performance.
North Vancouver Polynesian dance studio teaching Hawaiian kahiko and ʻauana, Tahitian (ʻōteʻa) dance and poi, including Hula for Health classes at Silver Harbour Centre.
Hawaiian hula and Polynesian dance classes in Victoria, BC for preschoolers, school-aged children, adults and seniors, including Hawaiian dance fitness.
Polynesian-inspired dance troupe in Calgary, Alberta performing dances from Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, Tonga, Samoa and Aotearoa — performances, interactive lessons and event entertainment.
Edmonton Polynesian dance and drumming group directed by Tracy ʻKelikaʻ Thorne, teaching the dances and mele of Hawaiʻi, Tahiti, Aotearoa and Samoa for over 20 years through recreational classes, an intermediate program and a performing company.
