Aitutaki locals, some say the best dancers in this part of the world, perform in Rarotonga.         Photo by Gene Korte

This Polynesian paradise of more than a dozen islands was settled about 1,500 years ago, according to local oral history. In pre-missionary days, like most of their
neighbors in this part of the world, the islanders practiced cannibalism. Today most of the inhabitants are practicing Methodists.

The British Captain Cook, the namesake for the Cooks, traveled in the South Pacific several times in the 18th century, though he didn’t see as much of this island group as the mutineers on the Bounty did. Their last stop before taking off for Pitcairn Island was in the Cooks.

Aitutaki (pronounced eye-too-tock-ee), one of the main islands, is an atoll surrounded by a 27-mile, movie quality turquoise lagoon. While there, we attended the annual dance contest held at Prince Edward Hall. It was a family affair with what seemed like most of the population crowded in for an exciting night of pounding drums and shouted encouragement from the audience for the young dancers on stage. Each contestant had to perform certain prescribed movements, much like the exacting steps in an ice-skating competition.

Cook Islanders, Aitutakians in particular, usually win South Pacific dance contests. We can guess why. In the same way that families in alpine areas around the world produce fine skiers, these islanders teach their children from toddlers on up how to dance. They move their bodies with skill and speed, isolating and wiggling this group of muscles and then that group, in amazing ways.

While watching dancers at the Rarotongan Beach Resort one night, a man sitting at the next table turned to his wife and asked, ‘‘Is that possible? Can the human body do that?’’ In this part of the world, indeed, it can.

…

Distributed by Tribune Media Services, INC. for World’s Fare Syndicate

© 2011  Diana and Gene Korte

For more information, go to http://www.cookislands.travel/USA.