Vairea T Samn

Rima'i Ma'ohi (Traditional Handcrafts indigenous to French Polynesia), Rara'a (Traditional Weaving Techniques), 'Orero (Traditional Oratory Arts) & 'Ori Tahiti (Traditional Tahitian Dance)

Return to the California Traditional Artists Plaza.

About the Artist

Born & raised on the island of Tahiti, Vairea is a native Ma’ohi cultural practitioner. She specializes in traditional handcrafts (Rima’i) & traditional weaving techniques (Rara’a).
Vairea is also avid about the preservation of traditional Tahitian dance, carrying her family’s legacy. Both her paternal & her maternal grandfathers were leaders (Ra’atira) of their own dance troupes. Upon moving to the Bay Area in 2017, Vairea was met with a very large Tahitian dance community, eager to learn her culture & showcase their interpretation of the music. This led Vairea to create the very 1st Tahitian Cultural Center in the USA. She has made it her life’s work to share the beauty of her island home with others & at the same time, educate them about respect for the Ma’ohi people, their native language, customs & strong traditions of her tupuna (ancestors).

Bay Area Northern California Sacramento Valley San Mateo County Asian/Asian-American/Pacific Islander Intercultural LGBTQ Dance Folklife/Other Oral Traditions/Language Theater Visual/Craft/Material Arts

Pronouns

she/her/hers

Expertise

Rima'i Ma'ohi (Traditional Handcrafts indigenous to French Polynesia), Rara'a (Traditional Weaving Techniques), 'Orero (Traditional Oratory Arts) & 'Ori Tahiti (Traditional Tahitian Dance)

Offerings

Artistic consulting, Classes, Curating, Group instruction, Handmade crafts and visual arts for sale, Lectures / Lecture-demonstrations, Performances, Private instruction, Products, Workshops