Society's Role In Polynesian Culture

The paper discusses Melanesian and Polynesian polities and economies which in turn highlight the differencees and similiraies amongst them. Sahlins concerned himself with the tribal societies found present within Melanasia and the large and diverse hierarchical system within Polynesian polities. The reading

It seemed like a normal day at the time, the sun was shining, the waves crashed on the shore, steady and reassuring. I did a lot of thinking that day. I thought of my future, of what I wanted to accomplish in life.Only now I realize that it wasn’t a normal day at all. It was the day I decided to graduate early.

Kalihi is the geographic area, but Census data exists for Honolulu, Hawaii. Hawaii is one of the most diverse states in the U.S., but current Census information does not filter minority groups such as Chuukese or Filipino. Rather the Census data categorizes various ethnic groups into such as Pacific Islander, Asian, and Native Hawaiian. The assumption is that the Hawaiian culture involves more collectivistic families than individualistic families. Collectivist families have more group cohesion and collectivistic cultures make decisions based on the betterment of the group. The statistic that proves the previous statement is there are 1,673 households out of the total 8,383 with 7 or more people living in one household (Census Bureau, 2010). The languages spoken in Honolulu include Tagalog, English, Hawaiian, and Pidgin, which is a blend of Hawaiian and slang words.

Polynesian (Greek: ‘poly’ = many, ‘nēsoi’ = islands) is the predominant culture of the South Pacific region. Of many Polynesian cultures, the most famous is Hawaiian. Polynesian traditions evolved differently on other islands over the centuries, due to the isolation imposed by great distances between them.

The most important Hawaiian cultural value I saw today was Malama ‘Aina. It means to take care of the land so the land can take care of us. We must nurture the land so it can give back all we need to sustain life for ourselves and our future generations. This value is a sustainable measure that everyone can learn from so we can all live a balanced (Pono) life. The lo’i provides us food to eat, such as the kalo plant, which nourishes our body. It is the kinolau of Kane, God of fresh water. Without Kane’s help, there wouldn’t be any crops for the community to feed on. On-hands learning is the best way to understanding more about our culture and learn why it is important to treat everything with respect. Taking care of the kalo plant made me look

When I think about the culture I come from, I immediately think about my Japanese and Filipino lineage. I also think about Hawaii, and how growing up there has shaped me today. This are only parts of the equation to my cultural identity. No matter what nationality or country you grow up in, each person is exposed to different ideals that mix in with their background culture. I would like to look at my cultural identity by looking at some traditions in Hawaii, the organizations I’ve been a part of, and my own unique personal identity. Each of these has played a role in shaping my own cultural identity.

Different groups of people viewed their surroundings differently from the Hawaiians. Just like how each place in Oceania has their own unique creation story, their tattoo designs are different but otherwise very similar to other

This traditional society in Samoa and other Polynesian islands was based on the clan and the extended family, each of which had elders, chiefs and patriarchs. It was a collectivist and hierarchical society, not at all a democracy, in which the hereditary elites were the governing

Different cultures have different ways of experiencing aspects of their culture. There are many similarities and differences between the Yanomamo and Samoan peoples. Cultural differences and similarities need to be paid attention to. Also, the similarities need to be celebrated. The Samoans and Yanomamo have different and similar subsistence methods, division of labor, occupational specialization, exchange of goods, and the economic link to power. The differences and similarities between the Yanomamo and Samoan peoples are striking and deserve thorough examination.

The religions of the Greek, Ute, and Hawaiian cultures strive to attribute Gods for the forces of the natural world around them, bridging the gap between their understanding of their world and the effect on them. For instance, the Ute Great Spirit Manitou infused life into the world, and all things in it, thus populating the world of the Ute. There were mountains, trees, deer and of course the bear to rule them all. Also, Hawaiians believe that Kumulipo the male, and Po’ele the female, born from darkness and in turn gave birth to many more Gods like Kane-i-ka-wai-ola diminishing darkness, Pohaha night coming into dawn. The Greek Goddess Eurynome laid the great egg that hatched the world with all of its creatures and plants. These myths

Polynesian societies and cultures have developed by living in a place hard to survive for centuries. Throughout these years the Polynesians have developed into a group of people with a strong sense of community. Many things have shaped the way the Polynesians developed. The country of origin for the Polynesians heavily influenced their own traditions and culture. When the Polynesians first settled in Polynesia their traditions most likely would have been the same as those of their country of origin.

The ancient practice of body art commonly known today as tattoo originates from the Tahitian word “tatau”, which means, to tap the mark

The Samoans are an ethnic group that reside in Oceania, on the islands of Samoa, in an area of Polynesia. Samoa has been occupied by these indigenous people for about 3000 years, when they came from the west, occupying the islands of Fiji and Tonga around the same time (Barnes and Hunt 2005, 243). They carry many traditions with their culture, however, I will be discussing their tradition of tattooing. Tattooing is the process of inserting ink pigment into someone’s skin to create a permanent design on them. For Samoans, tattoos are much more significant than just a pretty piece of artwork, they are, according to Ryman (2004), a right of passage. I will be reviewing the importance of cultural tattoos, the process of being tattooed, and the varying origin stories of how tattooing first came to Samoa. Samoan tattooing matters because it is a cultural tradition that has been practiced in Samoa for over 3000 years (Ellis 2006, 698).

Samoans believe the circular flying represents the cycles of life.” (Channell,18). In Samoa these tattoos are given to the chief of the family and he is the one who is fully tattooed. The tattooing is a very painful process and is done by taking pieces of sharpen bone and ink and taping the tattoo in with a mallet. The tattoo designs are beautiful designs consisting of many geometric shapes put together in a way they flows. The tattoo is much respected. Once started, it must be completed or it will bring shame upon the young man, and his family. After it is completed, the young mans gains new status among his people. With the receiving of his tattoo, he has now taken on the responsibly of being a man, and also to be an example and leader of his family.

Samoa has been around for many centuries dating as far back as 3000 years ago according to researchers and scientists. Throughout the years, the Samoan culture has gained a various amount of influence under the ruling of the U.S., the U.K., Germany and also New Zealand before it became its own independent state. To this very day, the old style traditions and values of Samoa are still practiced on a daily basis. Whether it be practicing religion, or relying on agriculture as one of their main resources for food and currency. Upholding ones values is extremely important as well as respecting the role separations, religious beliefs and following a strict chain of power to the people of Samoa.