Why do Polynesian dancers usually not portray characters in the way actors do in a drama?

In Polynesian dance, performers do not portray characters in the manner of a drama because the dance serves as a visual extension of poetry rather than a theatrical narrative.1

Instead of embodying specific roles, the dancer acts as a storyteller who interprets oral texts—typically chants or heightened speech—to praise and honor high-ranking chiefs or visitors. These performances are designed to reflect and validate the society's rank-based structure and interpersonal relationships.1

Consequently, the stylized gestures used by the dancers do not correspond to specific words or ideas as they might in other traditions; rather, they accompany the oral recitation to provide a roundabout reference to myths, genealogies, or contemporary events relevant to the occasion.1