If you are sailing in French Polynesia, there is many chance for you to drop by Raiatea, the Island where Tahiti Yacht Charter base is located. This island has a Universe of legend, like many other French Polynesian island do. Take the opportunity of your stay to share one of them and to enrich your journey by a magical and true touch. Legend says in the ancient time Raiatea and Tahaa were only one big island. But one day an incident occurred…
While priests were building a new « Marae », they issue an edict of total silence necessity so that nothing can disturb the sacred environment require for such undertaking. Any Rooster could sing, any dog could bark, anybody could move.
Flout this order, a beautiful and young girl named Terehe decided to go swimming in the river. Gods annoyed by this audacity rose a huge eel up from the river. The giant eel devoured Terehe suddenly. Possessed by the young girl spirit the eel became seethed.
The eel started to leap everywhere, ripping trees and rocks off. Completely out of control the eel devoured the center of the island, digging a strait dividing the island in two parts : Raiatea and Tahaa.
Gods asked Tu-Rahu-Nui (great sorcerer) to master the eel. He put the eel on his head and directed eastward. The eel grew up and became a huge fish who took the name of Tahiti Nui (Big Tahiti).
This legend has been validated in 2008 by the culture and heritage department.
