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The Cook Islands Lifestyle and Culture

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(Bachelor's, Master's & PhD)

The importance of knowing the culture and lifestyle of your desired study abroad country is that you do not have to worry about getting embarrassed once you are there. This is a pivotal part of the process of immersing yourself into a new environment and country! As you should expect, the Cook Islands culture is diverse and unique in its way to your host family. On this guide, we have set information that will open your mind and widen your appreciation of the Cook Islands culture and lifestyle compactly!

The Cook Islands are profoundly proud of the amount of cultural heritage they share. The sheer diversity of culture has made for an interesting group of people staying together in one place. From customs to received modernities, the Cook Islands have accumulated a wide blend of different cultures over the years. For a small country, the Cook Islands has a wide and complex history. Its people are of many religions, sects, histories and political scenes but they are all alike when it comes to the Cook Islands experience.

Each of the Islands has its own unique culture, yet they are all linked by common threads of tradition. The Polynesian heritage was successfully retained even as the Europeans settled on the island. Here culture is celebrated through dance, music, art, and all kinds of festivities that commemorate this region’s colorful past.

The culture of the Cook Islands is best witnessed in its music and art. Traditions are vehemently celebrated through festivities and parades, complete with colorful costumes. Island Nights, which are very common with tourists, show the best of Polynesian heritage in just a few hours. Complete with dancing, beautiful garb, and delicious feasts, islanders put their grace, rhythm, and infectious cheeriness on display at hotels, bars and inns throughout the week. The troupes that perform here are often families working to keep the tradition alive through self-expression.

Music and drumming are important facets of the evening. The traditional show called the ura is more than just a series of calculated grooves; in fact, the movements tell the most important stories of the Cook Islands. The dance was originally a sacred ritual and is now a passage of nature, sadness, joy, love, and loss coupled by distinctive beats from slit gongs and skin drums, along with some tribal chanting.

More so, locals are very skilled artisans. Inhabitants of the southern island groups are especially adept at carving and the weaving of panadus and rito, which are made into intricately crafted mats, hats and bags. Tivaivai or tivaevae is a major art form done by groups of women who work together to create patchwork quilts of scenery and other distinct patterns. It is a popular communal activity that is social in nature.

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