A Traveller’s Guide to the Cook Islands Culture

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Cook Islands Dance and Music

If there’s only one aspect of the Cook Islands culture to witness or experience, it has to be Cook Islands dance and music.

Cook Islands Traditional Dancing and Island Nights

Standing the test of time and largely unchanged since pre-missionary times, Cook Islander dancing is often regarded as some of the best in Polynesia.

There are many names for dancing in the Māori language of the Cook Islands; ura is most commonly used, while it is more traditionally known as kapa to describe action dances. The name most visitors will want to remember, however, is an “island night”, an ensemble of different Cook Islands dance styles to the beat of traditional drums and the strings of ukuleles, accompanied by a grand feast of traditional Cook Islander cuisine.

Check out some of our favourites in the 10 Best Island Nights in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands Dance Competitions

One of the most important events on the Cook Islands calendar is the annual Te Mira Ura, otherwise known as the “Dancer of the Year” competition. Amateur dancers from master dance troupes from across the islands come together for competition across several categories.

There are also dance competitions taking place within other cultural festivals, such as Te Maeva Nui in the lead-up to August 4th’s Constitution Day and Te Mire Tiare, which provides more opportunities for dancing before the “Maine Tiare” and “Tama Aito” are crowned.

Learn more about festivals with dancing in the 10 Biggest Festivals in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Cook Islands Drums, Ukulele and Choir Singing

To complete the ensemble, live music is often played along with traditional Cook Islands dancing. The Cook Islands drum kit is unique in Polynesia for combining both skin-covered drums, popular in eastern Polynesia, and fully wooden drums, more common in the west.

Another representation of the Cook Islands culture and music is the ukulele. Cook Islanders favour the eight-string ukulele, producing a fast-strumming sound. They are typically hand-carved in the islands out of mahogany, rosewood and even coconut, often beautifully carved and sold as souvenirs at the local markets – see the 15 Best Souvenirs from Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Finally, a result of missionary influence but taking harmonies to a whole new level, the choir singing at a Cook Islands church service is powerful and moving. It’s an experience not to be missed, so check the 10 Best Churches in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands for Visitors.

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Cook Islands Traditional Arts and Crafts

While traditional crafts were made for practical purposes, today, crafting is mainly reserved for gifts and souvenirs.

Woodcarving

Wooden carvings of Polynesian gods were historically the most widespread art form in the Cook Islands, with most depicting the god of the sea and fertility, Tangaroa. These squat figures have become iconic carvings to buy in all sorts of sizes.

War clubs, spears, Cook Islander drums, vaka (canoes) and more are still replicated and hand-carved to this day for display purposes, but you can see many traditional examples in some of the 5 Best Museums in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Tivaevae

Introduced during the missionary period, tivaevae are appliqué linens that are made by women as a group. The craft is still practised today to make intricate quilts, cushion covers and burial shrouds.

You’ll notice that many holiday accommodations across the Cook Islands have beds made up in tivaevae linen. Learn more about where to shop for tivaevae in The Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands, or experience the making of these heirlooms firsthand on The Tivaevae and Craft Tour run by local mamas on Atiu.

Rito Hats, Fans and Earrings

The women of the far-flung islands of Penrhyn and Rakahanga are renowned across the Cook Islands, and especially on Rarotonga, for their exceptional talent in creating finely woven hats, fans, and earrings made from bleached and dyed palm fronds, locally known as rito.

These crafts are sold for a high price on Rarotonga and are the pride of the “mamas’” Sunday church outfits. See the 15 Best Souvenirs from Rarotonga & the Cook Islands to learn more about them and find out where to pick them up for yourself.

Black Pearl Jewellery

On the atoll of Manihiki, there are the perfect conditions for farming rare black pearl oysters. Black pearl oyster farmers sell their wares to talented jewellers across Rarotonga and Aitutaki to create all sorts of wonderful handcrafted necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

Check out the best black pearl jewellers in The Ultimate Guide to Shopping in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

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Cook Islands Traditional Clothing

In everyday life, Cook Islanders dress casually and modestly, reflecting their Christian values. When it comes to dancing, however, costumes pay tribute to the Cook Islands’ Polynesian roots with both sexes wearing skirts made from kiri’au (hibiscus bast), overskirts decorated in flowers, shells and feathers, woven headbands and more.

A more recent (1980’s) addition is that women wear coconut bras.

Pareu

One significant aspect of the dress culture in the Cook Islands is the pareu, also known as a sarong. You’ll find these in many hand-printed designs and colours, and they are tied in various styles, from a casual wraparound to a more formal dress.

Head on one of the cruises in the Muri Lagoon to see a pareu-tying show! More details can be found in the 10 Best Lagoon Cruises in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands.

Flowers Behind the Ear

Wearing tropical flowers behind the ear is mainly for decorative purposes in the Cook Islands, but it does hold some significance at social events or when partying. Tucking a flower behind your left ear means you are single; the right means you are taken!

Floral ‘Ei

Another part of the Cook Islands look are the ‘ei kaki (neck garland) and ‘ei katu (head garland). For visitors, they will be part of your Cook Islands journey from the moment you arrive, as it is customary for your host to give you a fresh floral ‘ei kaki.

Shell necklaces, pupu necklaces (the name given to the tiny yellow shells which are a speciality of the island of Mangaia) and fake flower ‘ei are also worn and, understandably, have a longer lifespan.

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Cook Islands Traditional Food and Drink

Like most cultures, food plays an important role in the Cook Islander lifestyle. While Cook Islanders now enjoy a variety of international foods, particularly Asian and American dishes, there are a few traditional Cook Islander dishes that remain strong favourites for family gatherings and local meals.

Ika Mata

One of the easiest dishes to find is ika mata, raw fish marinated in coconut cream with a few other spices or chillis for extra flavour. You’ll find ika mata available as an entrée at many restaurants across the Cook Islands, hopefully, presented in a coconut shell for a truly authentic island look!

Poke

Pronounced “po-kay”, poke is a sweet traditional Cook Islands dish usually made with banana but can also be made with pawpaw, pumpkin, sweet potato (kumara), breadfruit or taro. The banana is baked with arrowroot (maniota) and coconut cream.

Curried Pawpaw or Banana Salad

A refreshing side dish in the Cook Islands, curried pawpaw or banana salad is a concoction of either pawpaw (papaya) or banana, combined with mayonnaise, curry powder, and mango chutney, or some other variation. It’s a sweet-tasting sensation that surprisingly works!

Rukau

Rukau is a traditional favourite in the Cook Islands, which is taro leaves cooked in coconut cream with a few other flavourings to lift the dish. The taro leaves have to be cooked just right, or else the natural prickly texture won’t feel so good on the way down. Luckily, all of the “mamas” in the Cook Islands are highly skilled when it comes to cooking up the perfect rukau.

Learn more about traditional dishes and where to try them in our guide, Traditional Rarotongan Food: 10 Foods to Try in the Cook Islands. Plus, check out our The Food Guide to the Cook Islands: Places to Eat, Food Tours & More for all things food in the Cooks!

Cook Islands Drinks

Not forgetting liquid delights, an authentically Cook Islander drink includes tumunu, a bush beer made from banana, pawpaw, or oranges. It is particularly popular on the island of Atiu as a response to the ban on kava drinking on the islands, which was influenced by missionary activity.

Locally made beer, coffee beans and fruit smoothies are also a hit in the islands, which you can learn more about in the 10 Drinks in Rarotonga & the Cook Islands You HAVE to Try!

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Cook Islands Language

The Cook Islands is home to two official languages: English and Cook Islands Māori, as well as the distinct dialect of Pukapukan. While English is the language that will help you get by in the Cook Islands, Cook Islands Māori, also known as Rarotongan, is the native language and the language used between locals.

The first thing to know about pronunciation in Cook Islands Māori is that there are only 13 letters in the Cook Islands alphabet: a, e, i, k, m, n, ng, o, p, r, t, u and v.

Learn about the history of the language, how to pronounce the alphabet and how to say important words in What is the Rarotonga & Cook Islands Language?

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Religion in the Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is a predominantly Christian country. Christianity was introduced to the islands around 150 years ago and has been going strong ever since.

Christianity influences cultural norms, such as observing Sunday as a day of worship and rest. The church plays a significant role in social interactions, providing guidance and redistributing goods and services to those in need.

Learn more about the history of Christianity in the Cook Islands and which denominations are worshipped in The Guide to the Religions in the Cook Islands.

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Cook Islands Customs

With many Cook Islanders being well-travelled and especially accustomed to Western cultures due to the country’s strong ties with New Zealand, local customs are not overly strict. Nevertheless, there are a few things to keep in mind when visiting the Cook Islands to respect local values.

Clothing Etiquette in the Cook Islands

When it comes to clothing, locals prefer to wear more modest clothing themselves, but are not usually offended by short-shorts, singlets, etc. A general rule for wearing swimwear, however, is that it should be reserved for the beach or pool.

It is bad practice to walk around villages and towns in just your bikini or bikini top, for instance. It is acceptable to cover up swimwear with a pareu (sarong), for instance. What’s more, being nude at the beach (or anywhere in public) is not accepted in the Cook Islands.

There are also some clothing etiquette guidelines to follow when attending church, including that men should wear pants and a smart shirt, while women should cover their knees and shoulders.

Other Cook Islands Customs and Etiquette

There’s not much more to add to the list of rules and etiquette for the Cook Islands other than that tipping is not expected but welcomed, haggling is not customary, and acknowledging people who acknowledge you is better than ignoring them.

Go into all of the details of these customs in Cook Islander Etiquette: Rarotonga & Cook Islands Customs & Traditions.