The Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands, located on the West coast of Tahiti, is set to open a special exhibit dedicated to traditional dance costumes. After many months of research, the museum will unveil about 60 costumes from devoted dance leaders who wore them during the festivities of "Heiva" since 1984. Made with traditional materials such as coconut, pandanus fiber, "tapa" (beaten bark), or "ofe" (external skin of bamboo), all of the costumes are beautifully preserved. The oldest of the collection goes back to 1947, owned by a museum in Charleston, North Carolina, having acquired it from an American GI who was stationed in Bora Bora during World War II. In addition to the costumes, the exhibit room is wonderfully decorated with photographs reminiscing days past. The exhibit will close its doors on September 10, 2006.

Museum of Tahiti and Her Islands
PK 15, Punaauia, PO. Box 380 354 Tamanu- TAHITI
Telephone- (689) 54.84.35, Fax- (689) 58.43.00
Open Tuesday - Sunday, closed Monday
9:30am- 5:30 pm