Introduction & Perception of Cook Islands before I embark on the research
When my friends asked me what country have I selected to work on for Tourism, Culture and Society Individual Assignment, I told them my choice of country and almost all of their replies were the same – ‘Oh.. Where is that?’
Well, I reckon that the percentage of people knowing where Cook Islands is located at is really small. Furthermore, being a little country (for your information, it’s total land area of 240km² is only about 30% of Singapore’s land area of 778km²) located in the South Pacific Ocean, it is no wonder that people in Singapore are not aware about Cook Islands. I must admit that before I begin my in-depth research into the cultural and tradition parts of Cook Islands, I had to research on the basic information of Cook Islands first because, like the typical people living in Singapore, I have very limited knowledge and information about Cook Islands.
Therefore I went to the library to borrow some books, and I also spent quite some time on Google so as to find out information about the unfamiliar Cook Islands…
Before I go on with my in-depth research, let me share with you a video on Cook Islands so that all of us will get a better understanding of this unique country.
What represents the culture of Cook Islands?
Culture refers to a multidimensional term that encompasses both the tangible and the intangible. Tangible simply means things that can be touched, felt and seen. Therefore in Cook Islands, the tangible would include dance and music/drumming.
If you have seen the video earlier, at 3:21 seconds, it actually showed a short part of the dance (which is also known as koni). You must be wondering why are the dancers dressed in such a way during their dance? Well, this is because it is how their costumes are supposed to be and traditionally, their costumes are all made from natural plants and shells. For instance, their short hula skirts are made from the young branches of the hibiscus tree, which are soaked in seawater for a week to make them soft and flexible. (Paradise with a smile, News)
Dance makes up a huge part of Cook Islands’ culture and hence children are taught how to dance since young. Made up of 15 islands, each of these islands have their own special dances which consist of a slightly different dancing technique, and this is what makes them unique. (Cook Islands Dance, janesoceania)
Every year beginning mid-April, an event called ‘Dancer of the Year Contest’ is held and villages from all over Cook Islands (which as mentioned, is made up of the 15 islands) would send their young people to Rarontonga (the capital island of Cook Islands) to compete for the Dance of the Year Award. This proves that dance is certainly a culture that is so strong and important to the people of Cook Islands and they would definitely protect and never let this culture fade away. (Bill Goodwin, 2004)
Just like the dance costumes that we talked about earlier, the drums and instruments are also made from natural resources. Despite being made from mahogany (a dark-colored hardwood) and ironwood tree, the sounds these drums and instruments produces are sensational. (Paradise with a smile, News) (Cook Island Dancers)
What about the intangible asset of the culture of Cook Islands?
Basically, the people of Cook Islands have great emphasis on friendliness and respect. Friendliness and respect for others are highly valued in Cook Islands’ culture, therefore one should always greet and smile, and should never be rude to anyone regardless of the others’ ages. (Nancy Keller and Tony Wheeler, Rarotonga and the Cook Islands)
Respect also means in terms of dressing. For instance, the people in Cook Islands would not appreciate if a lady wears a ‘short shorts’ up to the bum, or wearing short sleeves to churches. (Nancy Keller and Tony Wheeler, Rarotonga and the Cook Islands)
Indigenous Group
The indigenous group of Cook Islands which I am going to discuss is the Cook Islands Maori (Polynesian).
This group of indigenous people focuses largely on the intangible part of culture, which can be illustrated through the 8 major pillars which are:
1. Kitepakai (wisdom)
2. 'Irinaki (faith)
3. 'Akakoromaki (patience)
4. Ora (life)
5. Rota 'i'anga (unity)
6. 'Aka'aka (humility)
7. Noa (freedom), and
8. Aro'a (love)
Although these pillars could be very typical and applicable to any other human culture, what sets the Cook Islands Maori apart from the rest would be the unique pattern which they express and also their diverse emphasis. (Cook Islands Culture, janesoceania)
Take for instance, point number 1, Wisdom. The wisdom of the ages is a very pervasive and important pillar in the personality and culture of the Cook Islands Maori. In addition to culture, Albert Henry’s (the first Premier of Cook Islands) cousin, Geoffrey Arama Henry, declared that culture is all they have become and will become, and he also said:
“Culture is not just the past. It is the present and the future.
It is what we once were. But it is also what we hope to be.”
As for traditions, one critical element that helps to improve self-awareness of traditions is actually through language. This is because language is a form of communication with the other Cook Islands Maori, and it has been said that without language, culture would be lost, and of course, traditions would fade away too.
Kia Orana, which means 'may you live on' in Maori
With better experience and better knowledge about the language, self-awareness of traditions will therefore be better developed. All in all, traditions are important and essential because the Cook Islands Maori should be responsible for the growth and protection of the tradition. (Cook Islands Culture, janesoceania)
Authenticity of the culture from viewpoint of tourist
Based on what I have researched on and from the viewpoint of a tourist, I feel that the culture of Cook Islands Maori is authentic.
If I were a tourist visiting Cook Islands and if the people there were to greet me in their own language, which in this case is in Maori, I will feel like I’ve been welcomed into their home and their culture, as not all people from all over the world would greet in Maori. Hence I feel that language is one factor which made this culture special. Moreover, I also agree with what I have researched and found from the Internet, that language is actually a big part of culture. With language, both culture and tradition can continue to grow. Therefore, I feel that the culture of Cook Islands Maori is authentic.
As a tourist, when you visit a destination, usually you will feel light-hearted and your feelings should be enhanced depending on your satisfaction upon your visit. I feel that the culture of Cook Islands is authentic because with their unique dances, and drumming, the people there are sure to brighten up the tourists’ days. Furthermore, it is not an everyday opportunity to be able to fly to Cook Islands’ to watch those performances. Although the dances might be similar to those of Hawaii, they are still different and dance itself is unique enough to part of Cook Islands’ culture. Hence I feel that this culture is authentic.
Tourism Impacts on the authentic culture of this place and the indigenous group
· Loss of Culture
- As the authentic culture of Cook Islands’ is built upon the arts, which are mainly through vibrant dance, songs and drumming performances, this culture can be lost in the long run because instead of showcasing the performances on special events, these performances are showcased everyday so as to meet the tourists’ needs.
- Indigenous group might feel lousy as their culture is slowly slipping away, and their 8 major pillars could become shaky.
· Greater awareness / Creation of heritage sites / Commodification
- Through tourism, awareness of the authentic culture and indigenous group will be generated as visitors visit Cook Islands.
- This will result in the creation of heritage sites and commodification, whereby visitors pay to visit the sites which expand their knowledge about the authentic culture and indigenous group of Cook Islands.
- Commodification will in turn help to boost Cook Islands’ economy and probably also help to raise the standard of living for the people of Cook Islands.
E.g. Cook Island’s Cultural Village
Focus of Cook Islands' calendar of events
Before we talk about the focus of Cook Islands’ calendar of events, let’s firstly look at the various key events annually….
After doing all the research, I have gotten a clearer understanding of the concepts of Tourism, Culture and Society because I had to apply the concepts to Cook Islands, and therefore, I have gained a lot more knowledge about Cook Islands as well.
Before we talk about the focus of Cook Islands’ calendar of events, let’s firstly look at the various key events annually….
Anzac Day – To commemorate the Cook Islanders killed in the two World Wars
Dancer of the Year Contest
Constitution Week – National holiday to honor attainment of self-government
Tivaevae Exhibition - Quilt weaving displays
Gospel Day – Honors the arrival of the first missionaries
Tiare Week Festival – Flowers, parades, beauty pageant
From all the above events, we can see that the focus of events is mainly on Cook Islands’ culture and also bringing out the uniqueness of its destination. Like Dancer of the Year Contest, Tivaevae Exhibition and the Tiare Week Festival, these are all events that not all countries are capable of holding due to the differences in resources.
Disney Characteristics in the development of Cook Islands
Performative Labour
Dancers dressed up and beautify themselves before they perform. This shows that employee becomes like the actor on stage, he/she who is the staff, have to be in proper costumes in order to perform on stage. Customer’s satisfaction depends greatly upon these dancers.
Hybrid Consumption
Take the Cook Islands’ Cultural Village for example, it is located in between two largest hotels, one which has spa as well. This shows that there is a combination of experiences which are both unique and convenient, which for this case, it is the combination of the Cultural Village, hotels, entertainment (dance performances) and even scrumptious dinner. (Luxury Resorts, World Resorts of Distinction)
Theming
With a breathtaking setting on its distinctive culture, the Cook Islands Cultural Village is certainly themed, as it provides authentic cultural experience for locals and for tourists, it reveals the Cook Islands’ Maori Culture. Hence the source of this theme is probably religion, politics and history and it is the theming of a place. (Te Vara Nui Village, Tevaranui)
Merchandising
Being a country full of culture and traditions, one of the best things that a visitor can bring back with them would be a souvenir or any tangible object that is a result of Cook Islands (E.g. Cook Islands Flag Badge). Although intangible things like memories are more worth remembering, merchandising plays a part in those memories too. Therefore we can see that merchandising helps to generate awareness of culture (when gift/souvenir has been given to someone) and Cook Islands is wise in having Merchandising in part of their development.
Reflection of the place, culture and tourism
After doing all the research, I have gotten a clearer understanding of the concepts of Tourism, Culture and Society because I had to apply the concepts to Cook Islands, and therefore, I have gained a lot more knowledge about Cook Islands as well.
I think that Cook Islands is indeed a place that tourists would want to visit at least once in their lives. This is because of their special culture of being friendly and respecting each other, I think a visit there would certainly meet the needs of those who want to rejuvenate, or want a break from their daily world of work and care and allow others to provide the service. Furthermore in terms of culture, the tangibles like dance and drumming are really unique and which hence can manage to capture attention of tourists.
Tourism certainly has its impacts on Cook Islands, both negative and positive. Based on my research, I feel that as of now, tourism has more positive impacts on Cook Islands and this will allow Cook Islands to be pushed towards Globalization, since Cook Islands is not very renown yet.
(http://www.cookislands.travel/Cook-Islands/Rarotonga/Resorts/The-Edgewater-Resort-Spa_ov3=10_.html)
To end off my post, I would like to comment that Cook Islands is really worth visiting and personally, I would really want to visit this country someday.
References
Paradise with a smile, news. (n.d.) Retrieved from:
Cook Islands Dance, Janesoceania. (n.d.) Retrieved from
Bill Goodwin, South Pacific, 2004, page 189.
Cookinglan. (n.d.) Retrieved from:
Nancy Keller and Tony Wheeler, Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, 1998, page 31
Nancy Keller and Tony Wheeler, Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, 1998, page 58
Cook Islands Culture, janesoceania. (n.d.) Retrieved from:
Luxury Resorts, World Resorts of Distinction. (n.d.) Retrieved from:
Te Vara Nui Village, Tevaranui. (n.d.) Retrieved from:
