Cook Islands Culture
Modern expressions of Cook Islands culture are bringing new dimensions to the people of the islands. Traditionally dance was a way to celebrate at festivals or parties. Dance was also a traditional expression of religious meaning.
Today, with the introduction of Christianity over a hundred years ago, dance has lost some of its religious meaning. However, the elders on each island still carefully pass down the traditional dances to each new generation. It remains an anchor of their culture. Parties and feasts would not be complete without dancers. Sponsors hold dance competitions all over the islands. Visitors often get to see them at the hotel shows held throughout the week on major island resorts.
Along with dance, music is an integral expression of Cook Islands culture. Each island has its own collection of traditional music that continues to the present day.
Joining this collection are hymns and religious music introduced when Christianity came to the islands. Many visitors marvel at the singing that goes on in church on Sundays. The competition seen in the dance is also present in the music. Many competitions bring singers from different islands to compete against each other. Musicians also express the music through modern and ancient instruments.
Art continues to evolve and reflect the diversity of Cook Islands culture. Each island has a growing population of artists developing modern styles of painting. Woodcarving is a holdover from the older days that provides the ability for modern artists to reflect both traditional and modern themes. Carving in stone is not as common as wood, but there is a strong niche there.
Each island produces items that reflect their local traditions as well as those with modern touches as well. Many continue to work in fiber arts such as weaving mats and other items from the dried fibers of palm leaves. Many wear hats each Sunday to church made from finely woven examples of these fibers. Others produce traditional mats and baskets.
Fiber arts have evolved since the introduction of missionaries to the various islands. Traditionally, tapa cloth was a choice gift upon occasions of matrimony or other life events.
The tivaevae has replaced this. Westerners would be more familiar with them as patchwork quilts. However, the designs coming out of Cook Islands culture have no resemblance to the quilts of the American frontier. The colors and designs reflect their culture completely. They use both patchwork and appliqué techniques.
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