Competition Guidelines

Competition Guidelines

REGISTRATION

  • All participants in TATOU FESTIVAL’S Ori Tahiti Competition must pre-register

  • To register, click the Registration tab, select your category, and complete and submit the form. 

  • All Solo Aparima, Group Ote’a and Group Aparima entries must email their dance info and music no later than October 2, 2026. 

  • By participating at Tatou Festival, you affirm that you are in sufficient physical condition to participate in highly rigorous and athletic activities, retain personal health insurance, and you have necessary approval from your medical provider, if applicable.  You agree that TATOU FESTIVAL and its constituents, partners, and affiliates, etc. are not responsible for any physical injury that you might incur as a participant in any of the event’s activities and programming, and will not seek legal action against the named organization, partners and affiliates, or hold the organization liable.  It is understood that you will not receive compensation, monetary or otherwise, for participating. Any photographs, video footage, or other media that include you or your likeness, during your participation, will be the sole property of Te Ao Mana, and may be used at the organizations discretion. 

FEES

We do our best to keep fees as low as possible.  They are necessary to help make this event possible.  Everyone must pre-register. There will be no same day registrations, in-person. All fees are non-refundable and non-transferrable.  Spots are limited, so register early. 

The 2025 registration fees are as follows. 

  • Solo Ote’a and Duet Aparima (2 category discount): $55

  • Solo Ote’a: $30

  • Solo Aparima/Mehura: $30

  • Duet Ote’a and Duet Aparima (2 category discount): $55

  • Duet Ote’a: $40

  • Duet Aparima/Mehura: $40

  • Group Ote’a and Group Aparima (2 category discount): $200

  • Group Ote’a (minimum 4 dancers): $110

  • Group Aparima/Mehura (minimum 4 dancers): $110

CRITERIA

Solo Categories

Ote’a Vahine, Ote’a Tane, Aparima Vahine, Aparima Tane, Tamari’i Exhibition

  • Dancers must be age 15+ and must have obtained a working knowledge and experience in Ori Tahiti and possess an ability to execute basic Ori Tahiti technical steps. 

  • There are three vahine divisions for each category, Tiare: Ages 15-25, Tipanie: Ages 26-34, and Aute: Ages35+).

  • Tāne have one open division in each category

  • Tamari’i have an exhibition division in each category

  • If there aren’t enough dancers in any one division, it will be dissolved.

COSTUMES(Winners for Best Costumes will receive custom designs from our sponsors)

  • Ote’a

    It is highly recommended that you craft an exquisite costume that is made of natural fibers and materials or fresh foliage.  It should be complete and coherent from head to toe.  All costume elements should remain intact. Be creative so you will stand out.  If you are utilizing a tumu parau, it should reflect the theme you are representing. Have fun, be creative!

    • Vahine

      • Wear a plain (no print) cotton pareu.

      • No hip hei.‍ ‍

      • Adornments (head, neck, arms, with foliage, flowers, natural fibers, shells, etc) 

      • Headdress should compliment the costume.   

    • Tāne 

      • Wear a cloth maro or natural fibers and/or foliage; or a cotton tihere.

      • Adornments (breastplates or lei with foliage, flowers, natural fibers, and/or shells, etc)

      • Headdress should compliment the costume.

  • Aparima/Mehura

    • We recommend exquisite costumes that reflect the tumu parau of your dance. Be creative with it.

    • It should accentuate your dance and movements

    • All pieces should make a complete outfit from head to toe.

    • Your aparima costume should be completely separate from your ote’a costume, if you are in both categories.

SCORING AND OBLIGATORY STEPS

  • Solo Ote’a Vahine, Solo Ote’a Tane, Solo Ote’a Tamari’i

    • Round 1 Ote’a

      • Each dancer will improvise approximately 90 seconds.

      • The jury will focus on and score your technical proficiency. 

      • Obligatory Vahine steps: fa’arapu, tifene, ope, varu, tua ne’e, and ta’iri tamau.

      • Obligatory Tane steps: paoti, taparuru, tumami, ou’a ofati, tu’e, and patia.  

    • Final Round Ote’a

      • The top five dancers are selected to compete in the finals. 

      • The jury will prioritize and score your performance. 

      • Your expression, audience connection, stage presence, creativity, fluidity, and sumptuousness of your dancing will be scored.

      • The top three scores determine the winners.

  • Solo Aparima Vahine, Solo Aparima Tāne, Solo Aparima Tamari’i

    • Each dancer will perform an aparima or mehura of their choice.

      • Each dancer will perform a minimum of 3 minutes

      • Judges will score your choreography, fluidity of movement, technical proficiency, expression and stage presence, use of space, connection with the audience, and comprehension of your theme/message.

      • There will be only one round of dancing, and the top three scores will determine the winners.

  • OVERALL WINNER SELECTION

    • To win the title "TATOU FESTIVAL INTERNATIONAL OVERALL CHAMPION”,

      • Dancers with top scores of all solo divisions will dance off to determine the overall winner.

      • Your performance will be the focus of the scoring.

      • Musicality and dynamics will be an important factor.

      • Overall energy, flexibility, and captivating stage presence will be considered.

      • One winner will be chosen. Fa’aitoito!

GROUP & DUET CATEGORIES

  • Ote’a & Aparima/Mehura

    • Groups should be comprised of four dancers minimum.

    • When you are in unison, it should be very clean and precise.

    • Your stage time must be a minimum of four minutes.

    • Send your dance info to tatoufestival@gmail.com no later than October 2, 2026. This includes: 1)Name of Dance 2)Choreographer 3)Music 4)Composer 5)Tahitian and English Lyrics 6)Music Track (mp3 format) 7)Description of Dance (2-3 Sentences)

GROUP & DUET COSTUMES

  • Costumes can be made of any material

  • Should be of your own design and creation.

  • Modern or innovative expressions of traditional wear is encouraged.

  • Apparel should reflect your tumu parau (theme).

  • Dancers don’t need to wear exact same thing, however, should be clearly related.

  • Be creative.

GROUP & DUET SCORING

  • The winning group exhibits a strong knowledge of their message

  • Dancers will execute technical mastery through their performance.

  • Choreography will be unique and demonstrate thoughtful investigation of the theme through movement interpretation.

  • Musicality and dynamics are important factors and will be scored.

  • Additionally, groups will earn points for precision during unison moments, how well dancers relate to each other onstage, excellent use of space, and how the group successfully engages the audience.

PERSONAL CONDUCT

It is of utmost importance that we all conduct ourselves in a friendly and professional manner.  For everyone to enjoy the experience to the fullest, we ask everyone be courteous and encouraging.  Everyone makes sacrifices to attend and participate.  Let us be examples of our Moana Nui values and create a loving and caring community environment that will supersede our event’s time and date.

VENUE CHECK-IN

At check-in, please bring a photo ID.  Dancers will be directed to the dressing room.  Space is limited, only competing dancers will be allowed in the dressing room.  Your number must be worn visibly at the right hip.  be punctual to make sure you are where you need to be, at the time you need to be there, ensuring a smooth run of events.  If necessary, ask a TATOU FESTIVAL representative to show you ahead of time where you need to be so you will not be left behind.

DRESSING ROOM

Space in the dressing room is limited.  Bring only your costume and have your makeup and hair done. Only competitors will be allowed in the dressing room.  Leave your valuables with someone you trust.  Please arrive to the venue at the designated time. Pay close attention to when you are called to line up.

HOUSE DRUMMERS

We will have house drummers that will provide live accompaniment for the solo ote’a competition.  There will be several beats that will be on rotation for solo competitors to dance their improvisation.   

AWARDS

An awards ceremony follows the competition. Please mingle, participate in the festivities, have a cocktail, and celebrate each other. Mauruuru Maita’i Tatou!