Tamatoa is a giant coconut crab from Disney’s Moana. The character is voiced by Jemaine Clement and has a New Zealand accent. He has a high pitched, nasally and melodious speech pattern that is common to many New Zealanders.
The accent is a combination of Maori, English and Polynesian influences. It features many distinctive features such as a rolled ‘R’ sound, drawn out vowels, and a subtle use of pauses in order to emphasize the point being made.
This combination of features gives Tamatoa’s speech a unique and charming quality.
What accent is the crab in Moana?
The crab in Moana is voiced by the actor Jermaine Clement, and he speaks in a unique accent that is a combination of Jamaican and New Zealand accents. This accent is often referred to as a “Jafro” accent, as it combines two English dialects that are mainly spoken in Jamaica and New Zealand.
It is unclear why this accent was chosen for the character, as it does not necessarily reflect the culture of Motonui, the Polynesian island that the story is set on. Nevertheless, it does provide the character with a distinct flavor that stands out from the movie’s other characters.
What is Tamatoa’s accent?
Tamatoa, a giant crab villain from the 2016 Disney animated movie Moana, speaks in a high-pitched and nasally accent that is a mix of Caribbean Vocalese with a hint of Brooklynesque. His accent was inspired by the late great actor and comedian Robin Williams.
The voice actor for Tamatoa, Jemaine Clement, was instructed to channel the energy of Williams’ Genie character from the 1992 Disney movie Aladdin in order to capture the right tone and rhythm. The accent is high-pitched, amusing and humorous with a very noticeable Caribbean flair.
The accent is also laced with a slight Brooklyn essence that gives Tamatoa’s voice a unique and comical edge. With this masterful combination of Caribbean Vocalese and Brooklyn charm, it isn’t hard to recognize Tamatoa’s signature dialogue delivery.
Is Moana a Samoan or Tongan?
No, Moana is not Samoan or Tongan. Moana is a fictional character from the 2016 Disney movie of the same name. While the story of Moana is based on Pacific Islander mythology, and many of the characters are inspired by Polynesian cultures, the character of Moana is a representative of an imaginary island in the South Pacific.
The only real geographical location that can be connected to Moana and the story is the island of Motunui, which is believed to be located somewhere in Polynesia. However, Motunui is not based on any existing Polynesian island and is instead a fictional representation of a Pacific Islander culture.
What does Tamatoa mean in Polynesian?
Tamatoa is a very important figure in Polynesian mythology and is believed to be a huge chief or god. He is often symbolized by a giant sea turtle and is believed to rule the underworld. In some myths, he is seen as a trickster and a shapeshifter who is capable of taking any form.
Tamatoa is usually connected to the lure of wealth, so he is also seen as a symbol of success and prosperity. He is also known as the god of war, thus making him a powerful protector and leader as well.
Depending on the story, Tamatoa is believed to have many different roles but is generally seen as a powerful figure in the Polynesian culture.
What language do they speak in Moana?
In the movie Moana, they primarily speak the language of Tokelauan, which is an Austronesian language spoken by the people of Tokelau, which is a Polynesian dependent territory of New Zealand. Tokelauan is not the only language spoken in Moana, however.
Some of the other languages spoken by the characters include Māori, Tahitian, Hawai’ian, Fijian, Cook Island Māori, and Samoan.
Who is Tamatoa in Hawaiian mythology?
Tamatoa is a giant hermit crab from Hawaiian mythology. He is one of the most renowned figures in the stories and beliefs of ancient Hawaii. According to Hawaiian legends, Tamatoa was a huge creature that lived in the depths of the ocean.
He was said to be the size of a small island and had a huge shell covered in jewels and shells. He was seen as a greedy character and had a fondness for collecting shiny objects. He was sometimes known as a mischievous trickster and other times a helpful spirit if approached in the right way.
He was believed to have great strength and was said to be able to flip over canoes and overwhelm fishermen with waves. In some stories, Tamatoa also served as an unofficial ruler of the sea and was respected by his subjects.
In traditional Hawaiian culture, Tamatoa was seen as a protector of the sea and those who navigated it.
Where does the name Tamatoa come from?
The name Tamatoa is derived from the Samoan word tamatōai, which means “sea urchin” or “heart spiky”. This is in reference to the sharply spiked exoskeleton of Tamatoa, the monstrous crab featured in the 2016 Disney film Moana.
In the film, Tamatoa is voiced by Jemaine Clement and is portrayed as a sly and self-absorbed, albeit incredibly charismatic and comedic, villain who is obsessed with collecting and stockpiling shiny objects.
He terrorizes the people of Motunui and attempts to capture Moana so that he can eat her, only to eventually become an unlikely ally. He also performs the hilariously catchy song “Shiny” during the film.
Beyond being a beloved Disney character, the name Tamatoa also serves as a nod to the indigenous culture that Disney sought to represent in Moana.
Is Tamatoa a real myth?
No, Tamatoa is not a real myth. Tamatoa is a character from the 2016 Disney animated film Moana. He is a giant crab voiced by Jemaine Clement who is a self-proclaimed “shiny collector”. Tamatoa lives in a giant clam at the very bottom of the sea and is known for hoarding all things shiny.
Tamatoa is not based on any real myth, but is instead an imagined creation of the filmmakers.
Why doesn t Moana have an accent?
Moana is a fictional character, and as such she does not have a true accent. In the movie, her lack of an accent is the result of her dialogue being purposely designed to be understandable by a wide range of audiences.
The filmmakers wanted to ensure that viewers around the world could to easily understand her, so they opted for a neutral sounding English dialect. Additionally, this allowed for a much broader audience to connect with the story, since viewers could still be part of the musical numbers and understand what was going on.
In the original casting calls, the characters all had different accents depending on where they were from. According to directors Ron Clements and John Musker, Moana was given the accent of someone from the Tokelau Islands, supposedly close to where Moana is from in the movie.
However, casting singers with the accent proved difficult, and the animation already completed had Moana speaking without an accent. The filmmakers decided to forgo her originally assigned accent and focus on making her understandable by a larger range of audiences.
In the end, Moana’s lack of an accent proved to be beneficial. It allows viewers to recognize a common and uniting language, and to focus more on the storyline and her personal journey. Her lack of an accent also mirrors a lot of the themes of the movie, in that Moana learning to be comfortable in who she is no matter where she happens to be.
What was the Disney Moana controversy?
The Disney Moana controversy centers around the 2016 animated movie Moana and its depiction of the Polynesian people. Specifically, the controversy focuses on the Hawaiian and Samoan practice of tattooing and which tattoos the production crew chose to incorporate into the animated film.
There was criticism that the tattoos chosen did not actually reflects the traditional tattoos worn by Pacific Islanders, and instead had dangerous and potentially damaging connotations.
In addition, some argued that Disney had imposed stereotypes on the Polynesian people by making Moana’s demigod Maui overly muscular, with tattoos designed to evoke a caricatured “tough guy” image. Others objected to the way Pacific Islanders were depicted in the film, noting that it perpetuated the idea of them being “overly primitive”.
At the same time, there has been an effort to recognize and respect the cultural significance of Pacific Islander tattoos. For example, the original filmmakers behind Moana consulted with experts in Polynesian culture and received feedback from the Polynesian Voyaging Society.
Ultimately, the movie was broadly embraced and celebrated as a positive depiction of Polynesian culture.
How do Polynesians feel about Moana?
Overall, Polynesians have largely embraced the Disney film Moana as a positive reflection of their culture. The movie features many elements of Polynesian culture, from the clothing, to the language, to the mythology, and many Polynesian viewers are proud to see their beliefs and ideals represented in the form of a Disney movie.
Many Polynesian viewers feel it is essential for Pacific Islanders to be given a positive platform, as media representation of their culture is often missing or misrepresented. Further emphasizing the impact of Moana, the movie was even used by the United Nations to promote their Women’s Empowerment Goals in the Pacific region.
Moana is a meaningful movie for many Polynesian viewers and it has been cited as a source of hope for the youth of Pacific cultures. It is an inspiring movie which portrays the importance of hard work and staying true to your culture to accomplish one’s goals.
This representation is especially important for Pacific Islander families with young children, as it allows them to look up to positive figures from their own culture.
What race ethnicity is Moana?
Moana is a Polynesian Disney princess that comes from the fictional island of Motunui. She is described as being of “indigenous Polynesian descent and culture”. Moana represents a variety of cultures throughout the South Pacific, including Samoa, Tonga, and other island nations.
Moana is voiced by an actress of Samoan heritage, Auli’i Cravalho. The soundtrack of the movie features songs in the languages of both Tongan and Samoan. Moana’s ethnicity is reflective of the real people and cultures of Polynesia.
Is Moana good Polynesian representation?
Yes, Moana is a good representation of Polynesian culture. From the strong characters, the beautiful portrayal of nature, and the uniquely Polynesian music, the film does a great job of portraying the culture in a respectful and accurate manner.
The characters of the film are strong, independent, and courageous, reflecting Polynesian values that center around leadership and family. These themes are especially present in the main character, Moana, who sets off on a journey of self-discovery and brings strength and courage to her family, friends, and all of Polynesia.
The movie also vividly portrays the natural beauty of Polynesia. With lush landscapes, bright colors, and vibrant wildlife, the visuals of the movie draw viewers in and make them feel as though they are visiting the islands themselves.
Finally, the music in the film is a great representation of traditional Polynesian music. With instruments such as the stone lips of Maui, drums and other percussive sounds, and heartfelt singing, the music reflects the culture in a powerful and beautiful way.
Overall, Moana does a great job of conveying accurate and respectful representation of Polynesian culture. It features strong characters, lush visuals, and great music that truly bring the culture to life.
