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The pareo (or pareu) is a light cotton
fabric featuring bright colours and usually
flower motifs. It appeared in 1810, soon after
the first Europeans settled. It first replaced the
tapa, which was produced traditionally and
was delicate to make, and a bit later became
a substitute for the severe white or black
“missionary” long dresses.
Coming from Europe, and then from all
continents, this cheap and easy-to-work fabric
has rapidly been adopted by the Polynesians,
who have adapted it and now wear it in many
different ways, in town or in the countryside.
Even men wear it. Although it may now be rare
to come across men wearing this outfit in the
streets of Papeete today, they often wear it at
home and even at work in the outer islands.
The churches and cultural and sports
associations, which are numerous around the
country, use pareos of the same colour as a
distinctive signs, which results in a harmonious
blend of colours in gatherings, parades and
other events.
A few local businesses print and paint
original motifs on quality fabrics which are then
turned into shirts, dresses, bags or bedspreads.
C.BESLU
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| Unit price: 550 FCFP (4,61 €) |
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