Oceania
Oceania is an area that makes up 15 different countries and
thousands of islands in the Pacific Ocean, including Australia,
New Zealand, Samoa, Easter Island, Hawaii and more. They
share similar cultural backgrounds, with emphasis on the ocean,
exploration, and the active volcanoes that freckle the ocean to
create large landmasses.
The woman in this tile scene is from Tahiti, which is part of an
archipelago known as French Polynesia. The people of Tahiti
speak several languages as a result of French colonization,
and also carry French citizenship. Tahiti is best known for its
pristine beaches and breathtaking views, as well as the robust
and fascinating culture which draws travelers year-around. The
traditional dance, called O’tea, is world famous for the fast-paced
hip movements of the dancers. The grass-skirt is made from local
vegetation and dyed to create fantastic pops of color as the
grass swishes from side to side. Earth tones with bold pops of
color are essential for this tlle scene as most of the clothing and
instruments are made from vegetation.