Final answer:
Characteristics not observed by missionaries in Tahitian dances would exclude Christian or later-introduced elements, as missionaries witnessed traditional Tahitian dances with typical garments like colorful skirts, not confining clothing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asked about which was not a characteristic of Tahitian dance observed by early Christian missionaries. Given the context of early missionary encounters, one characteristic not attributable to Tahitian dance would likely be any elements that were influenced by Christian ritual or imagery, as these would have been introduced later by the missionaries themselves.
The early Christian missionaries would have observed the traditional dances, which would not have included elements such as confining clothing. Instead, they would have witnessed dances involving more free-flowing garments, such as the colorful skirts mentioned in paintings by Gauguin. It's important to consider that Gauguin's paintings were produced much later and often integrated both Christian and Tahitian elements; hence they do not purely represent the pre-Christian dance characteristics.