The dancers from Tama Toa Nui learning an 'aparima (traditional dance based on hand gestures to tell stories). The male dancers learned this dance from Vairea herself. Photo: Vairea Tupana Samn.
Tama Toa Nui is the first all-male Tahitian dance group in the United States, founded and led by native Ma’ohi cultural practitioner Vairea Tupana Samn. Born and raised on the island of Tahiti, Vairea comes from a long line of cultural leaders—both of her grandfathers led their own dance troupes—and she continues that legacy through her work in traditional handcrafts, weaving, and dance.
After relocating to the Bay Area in 2017, Vairea was welcomed by a vibrant Tahitian dance community eager to connect more deeply with Ma’ohi culture. In response, she established the first Tahitian Cultural Center in the U.S., where she teaches dance classes free of charge to people of all ages and genders. Through Tama Toa Nui, she creates a space for men to reclaim and embody the strength, grace, and storytelling power of traditional Tahitian dance. The group not only represents cultural excellence but also honors and uplifts the Ma’ohi people, language, and ancestral traditions.
Living Cultures Grant Program
2024
Tama Toa Nui – The First All-Male Tahitian Dance Group
Funding will support Tama Toa Nui, the first all-male Tahitian dance group led by Indigenous Ma’ohi cultural practitioner Vairea Tupana Samn. The grant will help the group prepare for a 2025 Tahitian dance competition by covering studio rental, water, and costume materials. Vairea offers free dance classes to people of all ages and genders, making this opportunity accessible to the broader community.
