A “tifaifai” (pronounced: tea-fae-fae) is the Tahitian version of a quilt and is an integral part of Polynesia's home and heritage. The tifaifai is similar to a quilt in that the patterns are appliquéd to a background fabric. Since the climate in Tahiti remains temperate year round, tifaifai are made from lightweight fabric (as opposed to heavy quilt designs) that is intricately appliquéd and hemmed around the edges.

The history of the tifaifai is not entirely clear, but its roots have been traced to the arrival of missionaries in the late 1700's. During that time, sailors from the Dutch East India Company allegedly wooed young Tahitian women with Scherenschnitte, a signature pattern made by folding paper in eighths, then diagonally to make a triangle. Next, certain areas of the triangle would be cut (or torn) to create a snowflake pattern when unfolded, and given to the young girl as a memento.

It is believed that the snowflake pattern design now seen on Tahitian tifaifai was influenced by these early Dutch sailors' gifts. Tahitians began creating colorful tifaifai designs based on the snowflake design.

Tradition held that once a tifaifai pattern was used, that pattern was to either be destroyed or passed on to a family member. That family member could only use the design if he or she added a signature design to it and gave it a new name.

Overtime, Tahitian tifaifai evolved and the designs became larger in physical size, yet the process of folding into eighths was abandoned for folding into fourths. (By contrast, Hawaiians still fold fabric into eights when making Hawaiian quilts.) This difference in design is key in determining the origin of a particular tifaifai.

Tahitian superstition plays largely into the influence of the tifaifai on a family. In years past, a young man's coming of age at 13 was typically marked by his first haircut. He was led into a fare, or straw hut, that was decorated floor to ceiling with colorful tifaifai. As his cut hair fell onto the tifaifai-covered floor, the tifaifai was folded (with the hair inside) and presented to his mother.

At the mother’s death, she was to be buried with the tifaifai containing hair from her son’s first cut, which, according to superstition, still embodied part of his spirit.

Teahupo'o is a beautiful, little sleepy village on Tahiti Iti, the smaller peninsula of Tahiti. Pronounced by Americans as choh-poo, Teahupo’o (pronounced te-ah-hoo-poo-u) is enveloped by lush green mountains and surrounded by sapphire blue waters. Throughout most of the year, at night you can only hear the sound of seemingly serene waves breaking against the outer reef.

Teahupo'o was discovered by the world at the inauguration of the Gotcha Tahiti Pro in the 1990’s. It was then recognized as one of the “heaviest” waves in the world where championship surfers battled for the Tahitian crown. Now every May, hundreds of surf pros, journalists, photographers, television crews, and groupies flock to Teahupo'o to attend the Pro Tahiti surfing competition, currently hosted by Billabong. Overnight, the sleepy village of Teahupo’o transforms into one that never sleeps. A stage is built for dance shows, rock concerts, and local ukulele performances. Food and beverage stands are all over the village. Locals and visitors alike stroll from place to place with Hinano (Tahiti’s local beer) in hand.

This world championship competition will be held from May 4 to 13 this year, where the likes of pro surfer Kelly Slater will compete to see who can best battle the legendary wave. Teahupo'o is the Goliath of waves and those who have not achieved pro status do not dare step into the shoes of David. Also known as “chopes,” it is regarded as the "heaviest" wave in the world: the glassy wave breaks very shallow onto the reef, which is why the pressure per square foot of water is extremely immense, and this also creates Tahiti’s world famous barrels (The barrel is the hollow area inside of the wave curl while the wave is breaking, and that is often the defining element of a good, yet difficult wave to ride). Increasing Teahupo’o’s challenge is its break on the shallow reef, which makes it extremely dangerous for fallen surfers who crash against the sharp coral not far below.

With so much character to create the most challenging and coveted wave to ride, it is no surprise that Teahupo’o is coined “the wave” in the surf world.

Travelers often return from Tahiti with exciting stories of the Islands’ beauty: secluded white beaches; mountainous green peaks with majestic waterfalls; fiery red sunsets sinking into crystal blue lagoons.

Most would agree that Tahiti is not just a place that overwhelms one’s visual sense, it's also a place of wonderfully overwhelming aromas.

With the benefits of digital technology today, capturing the beautiful sights of Tahiti has never been easier. However, capturing the indigenous aromas of Tahiti has been more challenging. From fragrant vanilla, to the signature Tiare flower, the scents of Tahiti have largely remained with travelers mostly in memory.

Bath and Body Works is one company striving to capture the essence of Tahiti in a bottle. With its new “Ile De Tahiti” line of products, the company claims to offer consumers "the natural skin luxuries of Tahiti, bottled."

The company describes Ile de Tahiti as "a new line of exotic luxuries based on centuries-old beauty secrets used by the women of Tahiti." Each product in the line contains Tamanoi™, an exclusive blend of Tamanu Nut and Monoi de Tahiti. The Tamanu nut falls naturally from the sacred "Tree of 1000 Virtues" and is known throughout the islands to soothe and provide healing benefits to the skin. Monoi de Tahiti, also known as "Sacred Oil," is a native island recipe of coconut oil and Tiare flower, and has long been used to hydrate the skin and hair.

The multiple products in the Ile de Tahiti line are based on three primary scents unique to the islands – Tiare flower, coconut vanille, and Fei banana.

Based on the natural flower of Tahiti, the Tiare flower is described as being "like an open window on a warm Tahitian night." Tiare Gardenia is entwined with crushed bamboo wrapped by exotic Ylang-Ylang, tropical Frangipani and Tuberose, then warmed with native vanilla.

Coconut vanille is described as being like "a beach in a bottle." Scents of coconut and bamboo float within white iris and musk. Fei Banana includes fresh banana, lychee, and passion fruit, together with island gardenia, Jasmine, and Tahitian vanilla.

While it's harder to capture the unique aromas of Paradise than it is the scenery, companies like Bath and Body Works are striving to help consumers experience the islands of Tahiti – even at home.

It’s almost time for Heiva I Tahiti! Heiva, one of the most culturally inspiring Tahitian events is held annually at the end of June or the beginning of July. This year, the javelin throwing, stone lifting, fruit carrying, coconut tree climbing, canoe racing, and much more will begin on July 1st and run through to July 22nd. The full schedule will be released soon, please click on the following link to read about last year’s Heiva I Tahiti:
2006 Heiva I Tahiti